Gordon, who recently transferred to the Bobcats from Detroit Pistons, failed to turn up at a training camp in Houston, the United States, while Mullens is injured.

The host nation are competing at the Olympics in basketball for the first time since 1948, when Britain last hosted the Games.

This means the entire 12 man roster are making their Olympic debut, with Deng's (pictured below, front) talent and experience vital for coach Chris Finch's side.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Joel Freeland, who compete in Turkey and Spain respectively, will also be key members of the team.

Only two players picked by Finch, Andrew Sullivan and Nate Reinking, play basketball in Britain.

The rest of team are: Kieron Archara; Robert Archibald; Eric Boateng; Dan Clark; Kyle Johnson; Andrew Lawrence; and Mike Lenzly.

They play across Europe, including Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece as well as the US.

We have all worked very hard for this opportunity," Deng said.

"The next few weeks will fly by and I cannot wait to step on the court with my team mates at the Games.

"We plan to make Great Britain proud."

Andy Hunt, Team GB's Chef de Mission, said: "Deng's involvement in the squad was hailed as a mark of what youngsters in Britain aspiring to play basketball can achieve. 



"The progress that the men's basketball squad has made since London was awarded the Olympics is quite remarkable. 

"British Basketball has worked hard to prepare a squad that is capable of producing credible and competitive performances for Team GB against the very best nations in the world.

"This is a chance for our basketball players to raise the profile of this exciting and high tempo sport and inspire youngsters across the UK.

"Having someone like Luol Deng in our team – who recently played in the NBA All Star match – just goes to show that there is no limit to what the future generation can aspire to."

Britain's men's basketball team arrived home last week from the preparation camp in Houston.

The team were given a warm welcome by an enthusiastic crowd when they arrived at Heathrow.


Finch said the selection of a final squad was tough to make.

"Cutting down to a final 12 is always difficult," he said.

"We had a really productive camp in Houston and to finally announce the Olympic team is fantastic.

"The next four weeks provide us with outstanding competition leading up to the Olympics."

The next stage of their preparation will be two games with Portugal in just over a week's time in Sheffield.

Britain will then travel to Manchester for a clash with the world's top team, 13 times and defending Olympic champions the US, on July 19.

Britain will face Spain, the 2008 Olympic silver medallists, Oceania champions Australia, Brazil, Asian champions China and an as yet unknown qualifier in the first round at London 2012.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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