Deng Has Majors Looking Hard

Luol Deng (right) was obviously tired after tonight's evening battle, a game in which his New Jersey Demons struggled and lost a close game.

This afternoon, with such notables as Coach K of Duke and Virginia leader Pete Gillen on hand, Deng helped his Demons win a hard fought AAU game at the Super Showcase inside the Wide World of Sports complex.

If you haven't noticed, Deng and his teammates basically stay in every game. And each game is a nailbiter. "We don't try to have it that way," Deng said. "It just happens. Everyone is working very hard out there."

It's evident that Deng, after competing at the NIKE camp in early July and playing for the Demons at the Three Stripes event in the middle of July, he might be a tad bit tired.

"My knee feels fine," said Deng, who injured the knee at the NIKE camp. "I had an MRI and everything is fine. I feel good."

Deng might be the best available player in the 2003 class since LeBron James will never play a minute on the college level.

Deng's recruiting has stayed the same. He seems to be still interested in Duke, Missouri, Texas, George Washington, Indiana, Fairfield, Florida, Wake Forest, and Missouri. Maryland has also been mentioned in the past. "I don't have a leader," Deng said again today. "I plan on taking some visits in the Fall before I decide."

Deng, a highly skilled 6-8, 217 pound small forward from Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., is a multidimensional player, Deng can handle, pass and shoot the ball with tremendous efficacy for someone of his size. Deng could end up being a point on the NBA level someday. But what he may need now is some rest. After all, he's only human.