The Chicago Tribune reported that the Bulls have been told that they will play at the O2 Arena, formerly the Millennium Dome, next year as part of the NBA's Europe Live.

 

It will be the fourth year of the league's overseas initiative.

 

Last month Miami Heat played against New Jersey Nets before a sell-out crowd at the O2, which is due to host the semi-finals and finals of the basketball tournaments during the London 2012 Olympics.

 

Deng has become the talisman of British Basketball's high-profile attemtps to prove that they deserve a place in the London 2012 tournament.

 

The 23-year-old was the star of the British team as they cruised through the qualifying rounds to make it through to the finals of next year's European Championships in Poland, the first time they have reached that stage since 1981.

 

Deng, who was born in Sudan but whose family fled the country to seek political asylum in London when he was a youngster, is already spearheading an NBA initiative to help raise the profile of basketball in Britain.

 

Earlier this year Deng signed a new $80 million (£40 million) contract with the Bulls and is their star player.

 

The Bulls other high-profile players include Ben Gordon, who, having been born in London, is also eligible to play for Britain.

 

He was named in Britain's squad for the EuroBasket qualifying tournament but withdrew because he was involved in contract talks with the Bulls.