Deng’s role as patron will involve helping to promote the Games to the capital’s youngsters and encouraging them to fulfil their sporting potential, both on and off the pitch.

Subject to his NBA commitments and recovering from the injury that kept him out of the recent play offs, Deng will be at the LYG finals and will also lead a training session with the winners of the Games’ basketball competition which takes place on July 4.

A former competitor at the Games in mid-1990s, Deng will be back in England to play for the Bulls when they face Utah Jazz as part of NBA Europe Live, presented by EA Sports on October 6 at The O2.

Deng said: “This is an event very close to my heart.

"I really enjoyed playing in it as a kid and competing against friends from other Boroughs.

"It’s a real pleasure to be asked to be patron and I hope that by giving something back I can help inspire the next generation of British athletes.”

Sophie Goldschmidt, the managing director of NBA Europe, said: “We are proud to partner with an event that has such a rich tradition as the London Youth Games.

“Along with Luol, we all share the goal of creating new and unique opportunities to compete, while growing the game of basketball.”

Russell Findlay, the chief executive of the Games, said: “It is fantastic that Luol has agreed to be our patron for 2009; it’s even more special as he’s a former competitor who has gone on to achieve so much in such a short period of time.

"This year will see our 500,000 competitor take part in the Games and I’m sure Luol’s presence will continue to inspire London’s youngsters to get involved.”