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Raise Your Game: Why is basketball the sport for you?

Luol Deng: It used to be football! I'm six foot nine inches tall so that might be one of the reasons, but I really love basketball. I think it's a sport that's really fun to play, so is football, but I happen to be playing basketball!

RYG: What have been the highlights for you from this sport so far?

LD: I think the first biggest highlight was being drafted. I mean being drafted to the NBA is a dream, to be able to play in the league where you know all the best players in the world are playing.

RYG: Could you give us a snapshot of your typical weekly training schedule?

LD: In the summer I do a lot of stuff, I mean one day I could train up to four times. I really take my sport very seriously. During the season I'm with the team travelling, unpacking and playing games so it's a lot harder. Summertime is the time when you spend a lot of time on your sport.

RYG: How important is it for you to be a member of the GB team?

LD: It is really important. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm just happy that I'm a part of this. I think there's a lot of tension right now towards us trying to qualify for 2012 and I'm just excited to be here.

RYG: It's very important for you to be able to use your sporting success towards helping others. Could you tell us a little bit more about that?

LD: I've been able to take part in helping organisations involved in Darfur, such as the World Food Programme and the UN. I've been able to help these organisations by bringing attention to what's going on and let people learn more about the crises in those regions.

RYG: You live the dream. For all the kids reading this what is the key to your success?

LD: You have to be driven and you have to commit. In order to be really good at a sport you have to spend a lot of time practising and listening to your coaches. At the same time you've got to make a lot of sacrifices - get outside of the house, spend a lot of time on the court, watch less TV and get in shape in order to really succeed.