Although his immediate focus is on helping the Chicago Bulls with their ongoing NBA play-off campaign, Deng is looking ahead to helping raise the level of British basketball in the build-up to the 2012 London Olympics.

"I'm hoping basketball can get more attention," he said.

"There are a lot of players really working hard at it and the recognition will come.

"The profile of the game will rise."

This is promising to be a big summer for basketball in Britain.

Deng is expected to be joined by Dallas Mavericks forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu in making his GB debut, and in September London will be treated to a visit from the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the NBA's Europe Live initiative.

"That's going to be great," Deng said.

"I really wish it could be the Bulls (playing).

It's really exciting that it's going to London.

It's great for the fans who will get to see some of the best athletes perform and hopefully it can inspire people.

"I think in the future Britain will have a lot more than two or three players in the NBA."

GB coach Chris Finch has Deng pencilled in to play in three games this summer against Slovakia, Holland and Belarus.

"I'm very excited about the Great Britain team," Deng said.

"I get to play with a lot of guys I grew up with (in London)."

Deng never had any doubts that he wanted to play for Britain.

"When I was young, I was playing for England youth teams and when I was 16 I was called up for Great Britain but couldn't play because of other commitments when I was getting ready for college.

"But I started to play basketball in England and I had no doubt that I wanted to play for them.

"I can't wait for the day I get to pull on the jersey. It's going to be amazing."