DENG'S STARRING ROLE AS BULLS CHARGE TO DRAMATIC WIN; BASKETBALL.

GREAT Britain international Luol Deng gave a flavour of things to come last night as he thrilled a sell-out crowd at London's O2 Arena with a starring performance for the Chicago Bulls.

Playing in an NBA pre-season game against the Utah Jazz in front a sellout crowd of almost 19,000, Deng scored 18 points as his Bulls clinched a dramatic 102-101 victory on James Johnson's buzzer-beater.

The next time Deng plays in front of this many people in his home city is likely to be the 2012 Olympics. Chicago had led most of the way, and it was only when Deng had to sit late on that Utah rallied.

As he continues his recovery from the stress fracture that forced him to miss this summer's European Championships, Deng showed why he has come to carry the weight of GB's hopes on his lofty shoulders.

He collected five assists to go with his points tally, and showed off his full range of shots.

However, the lingering affects of the injury limited him to 25 minutes, and he was forced to sit for most of the second half.

This was the third NBA pre-season game in as many years at the O2, but Deng's presence made sure there was no danger of the novelty wearing off, with a heavy dose of Bulls jerseys littered throughout the crowd.

Deng has also ensured that this game was as much about promoting Team GB's Olympic campaign as it was about selling NBA jerseys.

Prior to tip-off, NBA commissioner David Stern threw his weight behind GB's bid to land a wild card for next year's world championships, another crucial stepping stone as the program learns to compete at the highest level of the game.

"The run-up to 2012 is very exciting for the growth of basketball in Great Britain," Stern said.

"Team GB qualified for the EuroBasket and we hope that in its wisdom (world governing body) FIBA sees fit to give it a wild card.

"We're interested to see that by then Team GB could have as many as four NBA players on their team, and to see Luol Deng out there tonight is exciting for us and also exciting for fans of Team GB."

While talk of adding European franchises to the league remains just that at this stage, the NBA has found a willing audience for its product here.

CAPTION(S):

SOL MATE Sol Campbell with Chicago Bulls' British star Luol Deng at the O2 Arena last night, above. Right, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls attempts the slam dunk against Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz.