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Utah prep star has Hawaii on his list

Deng Deng, an athletic guard/forward from Salt Lake City, Utah, is listing Hawaii among his choices for college basketball in 2012.

Deng, who is 6 feet 6 and 185 pounds, said Hawaii is one of six schools he is looking at right now, and he would like to take an official visit to Hawaii before making a decision.

“Hawaii is high on my list because the coach (Gib Arnold) is a real good guy,” Deng said. “He played with Coach (Alex) Austin down at Arizona State. I’m planning to take a visit (to Hawaii).”

Deng was the standout player for the A-TRAIN Magic team that recently competed in the adidas Super 64 tournament in Las Vegas. He scored 30 points – including six 3-pointers – in one game, and had 24 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots in another game.

“He’s got a good body, he’s got a high motor, which a lot of kids don’t have these days,” said Alex Austin, head coach of the A-TRAIN Magic AAU team from Utah. “He’s very versatile. He can play point, he can play the 2 spot, he likes to post … the majority of what he can do is stretch the defense. The guy is a great shooter right now.”

Deng played last season at Granger High in Utah, and was a second-team all-state selection. He said he will transfer to Cottonwood High for his senior season, which could put his status for basketball in jeopardy due to transfer rules. If he is not allowed to play, he will work out on his own with Austin – a former NBA player.

“My game, I rebound pretty well – pretty much I have a whole package,” Deng said. “I feel like I can handle the ball and shoot. I feel like I can do it all sometimes.”

Austin and Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold were teammates at Arizona State in the late 1980s, and have remained friends.

“We’ll go through the process in his recruitment,” Austin said. “We’ll get him out there, let him see the campus. I think friendships are always important. When you see one of your kids away from your program, you want to know that he’s going to be taken care of and have the opportunity to play at the highest level.”

Other schools on Deng’s list are Colorado, Idaho, Long Beach State, Oregon State and UC Santa Barbara.

Deng was born in Sudan, but has lived in Utah since he was 6 years old. He is not related to Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls, but their two families are considered friends.

7 Comments

  1. At 6’6″ he’s probably grow to at least 6’7 or 6’8″. That kind of shooting range is impressive and he looks to move very fluidly. He’s a player for sure. All I can say is, “God Deng.!”

  2. hopefully he got a good vertical too with that body style and long arms it could be a big advantage

  3. Deng Deng — Please DO Come to, Enjoy and Sign with Hawai’i — there are Few Multi-Cultural places and programs that have this much to offer and No One Out-Ranks the Heart of Hawai’i …

    i would be surprised (@ 17) if Deng doesn’t keep growing, height and skill-wise; the skills he displays indicate a lot of good focused work, probably got pretty good coaching (Alex Austin took his skills to the Highest Level (NBA) so probably has good drills and discipline for Deng);

    The Competition: Other than the PAC-12 Schedule & Competition, i wonder what they see in Colorado or Oregon State ? [Comments?] Gib & Co. with Hawai’i’s advantages ought to be able to compete with and beat Long Beach, Santa Barbara and Idaho head-to-head three out of four times for a non-California born recruit …

  4. yah…so, you watch this guy with his size, athletic ability, and his length and the first thing that comes to mind is…mismatch. he is an instant mismatch for whom ever is guarding him.

    i can envision the stan sheriff everytime he rains a three, the crowd roaring, “DENG, DENG….DENG, DENG!!!”

    a very important and big get for the gibber should he commit. a potential four year starter.

  5. That’s Gib and assistant Scott Fisher in the background scouting the games.

  6. Deng Deng would fit in well and accomplish a lot at UH. A win-win if he chooses to be a Warrior.

  7. Deng Deng looks pretty good. If he could bulk up a little bit more, I think he would be a good post player. He could be a versatile player for UH.

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