Luol Deng isn't the most well-known player on the Chicago Bulls. But with his all-around game, he just might be the most important performer for a franchise that longs to add more championships to its impressive collection.
Deng certainly took one of the more unique paths to the NBA. He was born in Sudan, and his family spent time in Egypt - where he was mentored in basketball by Manute Bol - before receiving political asylum in England. Deng arrived in the United States at age 14, where he became a highly touted high school hoops star at New Jersey's Blair Academy.
Duke University was Deng's next stop, but he stayed only one year before declaring for the NBA Draft. The Phoenix Suns selected him seventh overall in 2004, but they immediately dealt him to the Bulls for a future first-rounder, the rights to Jackson Vroman and cash.
That trade has looked pretty good for the Bulls. While Deng became a solid contributor immediately, it was in 2006-07 that he really started to take off. Playing all 82 games, Deng finished second on the team in scoring at 18.8 points per game and posted career highs in rebounds, assists and steals. In his first playoff game as a starter, Deng scored 33 points to lead Chicago to a victory over the defending champion Miami Heat.
Flashier teammate Ben Gordon (who also entered the NBA in 2004-05) got more initial love from collectors, but Deng may have more upside. His 39 rookie cards often appear in the same top tier with Gordon and Dwight Howard, though Deng can often be found for less than half the price - even for high end cards like his Ultimate Collection # 132. If the Bulls become a force over the coming years, that will soon seem like a steal.
Luol Deng 2004-05 Rookie Cards
- Black Diamond # 190
- Bowman # 149 - autographed
- Bowman Chrome # 149 - autographed, #'d to 250
- Bowman Signature Edition # 77 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- E-XL # 85 - #'d to 399
- Exquisite Collection # 89 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 163 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Flair # 61 - #'d to 799
- Fleer Authentix # 125 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Genuine # 119 - #'d to 500
- Fleer Showcase # 98 - #'d to 199
- Fleer Sweet Sigs # 93 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Throwbacks # 82 - jersey card #'d to 499
- Fleer Tradition # 227
- Hoops # 184 - #'d to 1750
- Hoops Hot Prospects # 75 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Skybox Autographics # 74 - #'d to 750
- Skybox Fresh Ink # 112 - #'d to 499
- Skybox LE # 82 - #'d to 99
- Skybox Premium # 82 - #'d to 999
- SP Authentic # 181 - autographed, #'d to 999
- SP Game Used # 94 - #'d to 999
- SP Signature Edition # 106 - jersey card #'d to 499
- SPx # 142 - autographed jersey card #'d to 750
- Topps # 227
- Topps Bazooka # 213
- Topps Chrome # 172
- Topps Luxury Box # 107
- Topps Pristine # 188
- Topps Total # 318
- Ultimate Collection # 132 - autographed, #'d to 250
- Ultra # 182 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 230 - SP
- Upper Deck All-Star Lineup # 94
- Upper Deck Hardcourt # 97 - #'d to 1999
- Upper Deck Pro Sigs # 97
- Upper Deck R-Class # 97
- Upper Deck Sweet Shot # 104 - #'d to 1250
- Upper Deck Trilogy # 147 - #'d to 499