Once a prosperous basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, I now stand among the wealthiest athletes, boasting a fortune surpassing that of Curry, Wade, and Harden.
Luol Deng: From War-Torn Sudan to NBA Stardom and Beyond
Luol Deng, the 6ft 9in powerhouse, has had an extraordinary journey — both on and off the court. Born in war-torn South Sudan, he sought refuge in Brixton, South London, leaving behind a life of conflict.
Drafted seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2004 NBA Draft after playing college ball for the Duke Blue Devils, Deng's NBA career was nothing short of impressive. He secured two All-Star appearances (his first at the tender age of 19) and a spot on the 2012 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Over his 15-year NBA career, Deng graced the jerseys of the Bulls, Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers, and Timberwolves, amassing 13,361 points, 5,468 rebounds, and 2,042 assists. However, he's best known for one of the most dysfunctional contracts in NBA history.
In 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Deng to a four-year deal worth $72 million. Regrettably, he succumbed to injuries and played only 57 games for the Lakers over four seasons. Despite his brief stint, the Lakers continued to pay him long after he departed, restructuring his deal in 2018 to add two more years. This move left a hefty hole in the Lakers' pockets, as they paid millions for Deng's absence.
Despite the tumultuous ending to his NBA career, Deng's off-court ventures have netted him a staggering net worth of over $200 million.Beginning at Duke, where he befriended the daughter of Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Deng discovered his passion for real estate and established his company, D3N9, in 2014. With guidance from real estate entrepreneur Don Peebles and former Wall Street banker David Gross, Deng constructed an impressive portfolio encompassing hotels, resorts, condos, and apartment buildings worth $125 million across Africa, England, and the United States.
Deng's real estate holdings include multifamily units in Baltimore, spec houses in the Hamptons, a luxury resort in the Bahamas, and the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. For Deng, investing in property is more than just a business — it's a lifelong passion.
On the charitable front, Deng has supported and worked for various organizations like the UK’s School Home Support, Lost Boys of Sudan, Basketball Without Borders, and the World Food Programme. He also became the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation for four years (2019-2023) and an assistant coach for the South Sudan men’s national team.
In 2020, Deng was honored as one of the most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent on the annual Powerlist. Additionally, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to basketball in 2021. Today, his face graces one of the Brixton Pound community currency notes as a testament to his impact in the community.
As Deng reflects on his past, two of his former teams — the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves — are vying for playoff glory. The Cavaliers face elimination, having lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, while the Timberwolves lead the Golden State Warriors 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals. Regardless of the results, Deng's legacy on and off the court continues to inspire and resonate.
- Luol Deng's basketball journey extended beyond the NBA, as he showed interest in other sports, such as football (soccer), NHL, MMA, and NFL.
- After his NBA career, Deng delved into the world of UFC, attending events and even expressing his liking for the sport on social media.
- Besides basketball, Deng also nurtured a fascination for basketball outside the United States, demonstrating his support for the English Premier League (football) and the NBA in London.
- Despite his busy schedule with real estate and charitable work, Luol Deng still finds time to follow the progress of his former NBA teams, the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and their passionate rivalry with the Boston Celtics (NBA).
