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the luol deng foundation

Luol guarding a camper in 1 on 1 basketballText reading - "we are" - yellow outline font

Barely a decade old, South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world.

Seventy-two percent of its residents are under the age of 30—and they’re ready for change. South Sudanese youth are driven by a groundswell of hope and urgency to nurture their newborn country into a united nation.
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The Luol Deng Foundation equips the youth of our nation to be the leaders we need today. Through sport, we build character and instill a sense of belonging. Through education, we empower young people to go further. Through wellness, we secure people’s most urgent needs. Through equality, we ensure these opportunities are for everyone.
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We believe youth are the key to transforming our country and our world. Because that’s what young people do.

Beyond Basketball

If sport is a universal language, South Sudan is beautifully fluent in the game of basketball. It speaks the game with a boundless imagination. This youthful exuberance is what inspires us to move beyond the court: because we know that basketball is just the beginning.

Sport
Sport

We instill our love of basketball in a new generation of athletes—from South Sudan to the U.K. and U.S.A., our sports have global impact.

Equality
Equality

We affirm our commitment to young women and girls —both on and off the basketball court.

Education
Education

We leverage sport to reinforce the importance of education through year-round co-curricular programming, resource support, and scholarships.

Wellness
Wellness

We facilitate delivery of critical care, provide assistive devices to people living with disabilities, and match donors with communities in need.

the story

Luol Deng is leading by example for a new generation of athletes with his extraordinary talent, social responsibility and genuine dedication to a wide range of humanitarian and charitable causes.

1985
1990s
2000s
2010s
Today
Luol Deng was born in Wau, South Sudan on April 16th, 1985 to his parents Aldo Ajou Deng and Martha Leon John.
1985
BORN IN SOUTH SUDAN

Luol Deng was born in Wau, South Sudan on April 16th, 1985 to his parents Aldo Ajou Deng and Martha Leon John.

Sudan's civil war forces Luol and his family to flee the country. After arriving in Egypt, NBA Legend Manute Bol started teaching Luol’s brothers the game of basketball and they in turn taught Luol how to play.
1990
FLEES SUDAN DUE TO CIVIL WAR

Sudan's civil war forces Luol and his family to flee the country. After arriving in Egypt, NBA Legend Manute Bol started teaching Luol’s brothers the game of basketball and they in turn taught Luol how to play.

Luol's father, Aldo, is granted political asylum to the United Kingdom where Luol joins the infamous Brixton Topcats basketball club, under the watchful guidance of legendary coach Jimmy Rogers. The Deng family still reside in South London to this day.
1994
MOVES TO THE U.K.

Luol's father, Aldo, is granted political asylum to the United Kingdom where Luol joins the infamous Brixton Topcats basketball club, under the watchful guidance of legendary coach Jimmy Rogers. The Deng family still reside in South London to this day.

At the age of 14, Luol moves across the pond to attend U.S. high school Blair Academy in New Jersey.
1999
ATTENDS BLAIR ACADEMY

At the age of 14, Luol moves across the pond to attend U.S. high school Blair Academy in New Jersey.

Luol is second on a list of the top 100 high school players in the U.S. (just behind no. 1 LeBron James). Luol becomes the most recruited player in the country.
2003
RANKED NO. 2 OF TOP 100 HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS

Luol is second on a list of the top 100 high school players in the U.S. (just behind no. 1 LeBron James). Luol becomes the most recruited player in the country.

Luol chooses to attend Duke University for its highly renowned basketball program.
2004
ATTENDS DUKE UNIVERSITY

Luol chooses to attend Duke University for its highly renowned basketball program.

Luol is chosen as the 7th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls, beginning his ten-year career with the team.
2004
DRAFTED TO CHICAGO BULLS

Luol is chosen as the 7th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls, beginning his ten-year career with the team.

Having always desired to give back, Luol forms the Foundation and begins working with the Chicago CharitaBulls and UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
2005
LUOL DENG FOUNDATION FORMED

Having always desired to give back, Luol forms the Foundation and begins working with the Chicago CharitaBulls and UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

The inaugural Deng Camp is held in the UK to develop basketball skills for kids of all ages
2005
INAUGURAL DENG CAMP

The inaugural Deng Camp is held in the UK to develop basketball skills for kids of all ages

Luol is chosen to participate in the NBA All Star Weekend Rookie - Sophomore Game in 2005 as a rookie and 2006 as a sophomore.
2005
NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND GAMES

Luol is chosen to participate in the NBA All Star Weekend Rookie - Sophomore Game in 2005 as a rookie and 2006 as a sophomore.

Luol is granted UK citizenship after living with his family in South London for a number of years and representing the English National team at both U16 and U18 levels
2006
GRANTED U.K. CITIZENSHIP

Luol is granted UK citizenship after living with his family in South London for a number of years and representing the English National team at both U16 and U18 levels

Luol is granted the NBA Sportsmanship Award for his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic work with the Luol Deng Foundation.
2006
RECOGNIZED FOR SPORTSMANSHIP

Luol is granted the NBA Sportsmanship Award for his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic work with the Luol Deng Foundation.

Luol scores a career-high 40 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 110-98 victory over the Portland Trailblazers.
2010
SCORES NBA CAREER HIGH

Luol scores a career-high 40 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 110-98 victory over the Portland Trailblazers.

Luol is the recipient of the 10th Annual Midwest Light of Human Rights Awards for his dedication to human rights through the Luol Deng Foundation.
2010
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

Luol is the recipient of the 10th Annual Midwest Light of Human Rights Awards for his dedication to human rights through the Luol Deng Foundation.

Luol returns to South Sudan for the first time since he fled 20 years ago as a refugee.
2010
LUOL GOES BACK TO HIS ROOTS

Luol returns to South Sudan for the first time since he fled 20 years ago as a refugee.

Luol donates a portion of salary to fund bus rides for to the South Sudanese diaspora to vote for the referendum for South Sudan's independence.
2011
BUS RIDES FOR TO THE SOUTH SUDANESE DIASPORA

Luol donates a portion of salary to fund bus rides for to the South Sudanese diaspora to vote for the referendum for South Sudan's independence.

Luol is selected for consecutive All-Star Game appearances in Orlando (2011) and Houston (2012), becoming a two-time NBA All Star.
2011
TWO-TIME NBA ALL STAR

Luol is selected for consecutive All-Star Game appearances in Orlando (2011) and Houston (2012), becoming a two-time NBA All Star.

South Sudan gains independence from Sudan after decades of war
2011
SOUTH SUDAN BECOMES THE WORLD’S YOUNGEST NATION

South Sudan gains independence from Sudan after decades of war

Luol becomes an Olympic Ambassador and competitor in the London 2012 Olympic Games for Team Great Britain.
2012
LONDON OLYMPICS

Luol becomes an Olympic Ambassador and competitor in the London 2012 Olympic Games for Team Great Britain.

Deng Camp UK shifts focus to form Deng Camp Top 50. An elite basketball camp to develop youth skill and give exposure to basketball talent in the UK
2014
DENG CAMP TOP 50

Deng Camp UK shifts focus to form Deng Camp Top 50. An elite basketball camp to develop youth skill and give exposure to basketball talent in the UK

After a decade with the Chicago Bulls, Luol is traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers to start a new journey on his NBA career.
2014
TRADED TO THE CAVS

After a decade with the Chicago Bulls, Luol is traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers to start a new journey on his NBA career.

Luol is voted the 2013-14 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for showing outstanding service and dedication to the community.
2014
WINS NBA CITIZENSHIP AWARD

Luol is voted the 2013-14 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for showing outstanding service and dedication to the community.

After a quick stint with the Cavs to end the 2013/14 season, Luol signs with the Miami Heat.
2014
JOINS THE MIAMI HEAT

After a quick stint with the Cavs to end the 2013/14 season, Luol signs with the Miami Heat.

South Sudan Unite is a community-building event and initiative focused on bringing the South Sudanese diaspora together in the spirit of peace and unity.
2015
CREATES SOUTH SUDAN UNITE

South Sudan Unite is a community-building event and initiative focused on bringing the South Sudanese diaspora together in the spirit of peace and unity.

On behalf of the Deng Foundation, Luol opens the Manute Bol Court in Juba, South Sudan. Luol dedicates the court to the man who taught him the game of basketball: Manute Bol.
2015
MANUTE BOL COURT OPENS

On behalf of the Deng Foundation, Luol opens the Manute Bol Court in Juba, South Sudan. Luol dedicates the court to the man who taught him the game of basketball: Manute Bol.

After playing two seasons with the Miami Heat, Luol joins the Los Angeles Lakers.
2016
JOINS THE L.A. LAKERS

After playing two seasons with the Miami Heat, Luol joins the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luol Deng Foundation creates Deng Camp U.S.A., a skill development camp for elite South Sudanese basketball players.
2017
LAUNCHES U.S. CHAPTER OF DENG CAMP

Luol Deng Foundation creates Deng Camp U.S.A., a skill development camp for elite South Sudanese basketball players.

Luol Deng leaves the Los Angeles Lakers, signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2018
JOINS THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Luol Deng leaves the Los Angeles Lakers, signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Luol closes an illustrious 15-season career by signing a commemorative one day contract with Chicago, formally retiring as a Bull. Luol retires as 2-time All Star and 4th all time leading scorer for the Bulls, behind Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Bob Love.
2019
RETIRES FROM BASKETBALL

Luol closes an illustrious 15-season career by signing a commemorative one day contract with Chicago, formally retiring as a Bull. Luol retires as 2-time All Star and 4th all time leading scorer for the Bulls, behind Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Bob Love.

Luol receives Order of the British Empire honour, OBE, a British order of chivalry, awarded by the Queen to recognize extraordinary contributions to the country
2021
OBE FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND

Luol receives Order of the British Empire honour, OBE, a British order of chivalry, awarded by the Queen to recognize extraordinary contributions to the country

LDF continues to work in South Sudan, the UK, and the US to further our mission of developing communities through sport through new strategic partnerships, projects, and programs

we’re worldwide

Our initiatives from Deng Camp and Deng Academy span the entire world, located in the United States, United Kingdom, and South Sudan.

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© Luol Deng Foundation 2024. UK: Reg. Charity No. 1145149. South Sudan: Reg. No. 628. USA: The Luol Deng Foundation partners with MATTER, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, as a fiscal agent for all US donations EIN No. 37-1441658