BIO: Deng Deng was born in South Sudan.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Deng Deng made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 26 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Sydney entered the 2018-19 season with high expectations after securing several significant signings, including Andrew Bogut, who returned to Australia after a decorated 14-year NBA career that included winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. The Kings became the first team to utilize the NBL’s new Next Stars program, signing highly touted prospect Brian Bowen, a McDonald’s All-American, who opted for the NBL route to prepare for the NBA Draft. Other key additions included Jerome Randle, David Wear (via Spain), Deng Deng (via Big V – McKinnon), Kyle Adnam, and Tom Wilson (both via Melbourne).

Deng Deng joined the Kings as a development player and appeared in 15 games during the 2018-19 season, averaging 1.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.1 assists in limited minutes off the bench. While his on-court opportunities were minimal, Deng brought energy and hustle whenever called upon. His athleticism and defensive versatility were key assets, allowing him to guard multiple positions and contribute as a rebounder in short bursts. Despite his limited role, Deng’s effort and intensity were invaluable during practice sessions, helping to maintain the team’s competitive edge.

Throughout the season, Deng’s primary contributions came in moments where the team needed fresh legs and defensive energy. His ability to step in and make an impact in brief stints demonstrated his readiness and commitment to his role. While not a focal point of the Kings’ rotation, Deng’s presence added depth to a squad filled with experienced and talented players.

The Kings concluded the regular season in third place with an 18-10 record, securing a playoff berth. However, their postseason run ended in the semifinals, where they were eliminated by Melbourne United. Although Deng saw limited minutes during the playoffs, his readiness and dedication were recognized by the coaching staff. His first season in the NBL showcased his potential as a high-energy player capable of filling various roles when needed, laying the foundation for his future development in the league.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2020/21
After winning only five games and finishing last the previous season, Illawarra entered voluntary administration in April 2020 before creditors voted to liquidate the club one month later. The NBL ensured the franchise survived and on June 17 announced that Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor had been awarded the licence. Under the new ownership the team was renamed The Hawks and six-time NBL championship-winning coach Brian Goorjian was appointed head coach.

With contracts needing to be renewed under the new ownership, LaMelo Ball (to Charlotte), Todd Blanchfield (to Perth), Sunday Dech (to Adelaide) and Angus Glover (to Sydney) were among those to depart, with Sam Froling and Emmett Naar the only players from the previous season’s full-time roster to return. Goorjian rebuilt the team with Deng Adel (via Long Island), Cam Bairstow (via Vilnius), Next Star Justinian Jessup (via Boise State), Tyler Harvey (via Ulm), Justin Simon (via Windy City) and Deng Deng (via New Zealand). AJ Ogilvy also returned before the season as an injury replacement for Daniel Grida, who was recovering from the ACL injury suffered in March 2020.

Deng had been signed by New Zealand as an injury replacement the previous season after previously playing 19 games for Sydney, and joined the Hawks for the 2020/21 season having also played professionally in Poland, Lebanon, Finland, Qatar and the NBA G-League. “It’s really good to be with Goorj and the whole new ownership. I’m really excited.” Deng said.

The Hawks opened the season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on January 16, where Deng (4 points and 3 rebounds) played 7:33 off the bench in his first game for the club as the Hawks won 90-84. Froling (19 points and 4 rebounds) and Naar (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra, while Nathan Sobey (19 points) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Deng (6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds across 39 games) became a regular part of Goorjian’s bench rotation, averaging 15.1 minutes and appearing in all 36 regular-season games and all three semifinals. He came off the bench in every appearance and did not miss a game through injury. The Hawks won their opening four games while fan backlash continued over the removal of ‘Illawarra’ from the team’s name, before the NBL reinstated the Illawarra name ahead of the club’s first home game in February.

Deng’s best scoring game came against Cairns during the NBL Cup on February 20, where Deng (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) made 7-of-11 shots from the field and three three-pointers, but the Taipans defeated Illawarra 101-95. Harvey (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Jessup (17 points) led the Hawks alongside Deng, while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Cairns.

Deng’s best all-round performance came against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on May 18, where Deng (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Illawarra in scoring, but United won 102-87. Jessup (11 points) and Harvey (10 points and 5 assists) provided support, while Chris Goulding (25 points) led Melbourne.

From Round 16, Illawarra won eight of its final ten regular-season games, with Deng playing a major role in the victory which secured the Hawks’ first playoff appearance since 2017. Against defending champion Perth on June 1, Deng (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) played 23 minutes off the bench as Illawarra won 81-79, with Harvey (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Froling (14 points and 2 blocks) leading the Hawks while John Mooney (14 points and 16 rebounds) was Perth’s best. “Tonight he was so engaged and so tough defensively that I didn’t want to take him off the floor.” Goorjian said.

The Hawks dealt with several roster issues during the season. Bairstow (11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds across 14 games) was ruled out for the remainder of the season after missing nine consecutive games with a minor hip issue, leading longtime Hawk Tim Coenraad (5.5 points across 11 games) to come out of retirement as his injury replacement. Grida (3.3 points across 18 games) returned on April 3 after more than a year recovering from his ACL injury, while Adel (5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 23 games) mutually agreed to leave the club in May after ongoing injuries and a groin complaint prevented him from establishing himself.

Harvey (20 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 37 games) led Illawarra in scoring, was named to the All-NBL First Team and finished runner-up for league MVP. Jessup (13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 38 games) was the Hawks’ second-leading scorer, while Froling (11.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 39 games) won the NBL Most Improved Player award and Simon (8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 39 games) won the Damian Martin Trophy as the NBL’s Best Defensive Player. Only Harvey, Jessup, Bairstow and Froling averaged double figures as Illawarra’s scoring fell from 90.5 points across its opening ten games to a league-low 81.5 for the season. The Hawks also finished last in field-goal percentage at 42.5 percent, shooting 47.8 percent from two-point range, 33.2 percent from three and 69.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Illawarra closed the regular season against Sydney on June 3, where Deng (7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 17 minutes as the Kings won 79-73. White (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Naar (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Hawks, while Jarell Martin (23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best as Illawarra finished third with a 20-16 record.

The semifinal series opened at RAC Arena, where Deng (3 points and 1 block) played 10 minutes as Illawarra defeated Perth 74-72. Jessup (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Todd Blanchfield (24 points) and Mooney (13 points and 15 rebounds) led Perth before Simon grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down the match-winning putback dunk with 15 seconds remaining.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Deng (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Harvey (24 points and 4 steals) and Jessup (11 points and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds), Luke Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Clint Steindl (12 points) led Perth. Deng scored on the halftime buzzer to give Illawarra a 31-28 lead, but Steindl scored all 12 of his points during a 32-point Wildcats third quarter as Perth won 79-71.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Deng (5 points and 2 rebounds), Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks), Harvey (10 points) and Simon (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped Illawarra reduce a 16-point deficit to one early in the fourth quarter, while Blanchfield (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals), Mooney (16 points and 15 rebounds) and Mitch Norton (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) responded as Perth won 79-71.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2021/22
After finishing sixth with an 18-18 record and missing the playoffs, Brisbane entered the season with Andrej Lemanis leaving after five years as head coach. The Bullets considered promoting assistant coach and former player CJ Bruton before appointing former Sydney Kings assistant James Duncan.

Vic Law (to Perth), Matt Hodgson (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Illawarra), Callum Dalton (to Melbourne) and BJ Johnson (to Orlando) departed, while Lamar Patterson returned and Tyrell Harrison and Jason Cadee signed two-year deals. Brisbane added Robert Franks (via Lakeland Magic), Isaiah Moss (via Otago), Jack Salt (via Canterbury), Deng Deng (via Illawarra), Chuanxing Liu (via China), Next Star Tom Digbeu (via Lithuania) and development player Taane Samuel.

Deng joined Brisbane on a one-year deal after spending the previous season with Illawarra. “I hope to bring energy and effort every single game and help Brisbane win any way I can,” Deng said.

Brisbane opened the season against league newcomer Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on December 3, where Deng (4 points and 6 rebounds) came off the bench, while Sobey (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made a late three-pointer to force overtime and Franks (19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) produced a double-double, but Adams (20 points) led the JackJumpers to an 83-74 victory in their first NBL game.

Deng (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds across 28 games) came off the bench in every appearance and averaged 18.7 minutes, shooting 51 per cent from the field. He remained available throughout the campaign, appearing in all 28 games and recording no injury-related absences.

Deng (5 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks) produced his best shot-blocking game against Perth at RAC Arena on December 17, but Brisbane lost 83-70 despite Franks (28 points and 9 rebounds) and Patterson (17 points) leading the scoring. Deng became involved in a heated exchange with former teammate Law (9 points and 9 rebounds), with both players receiving technical fouls after Law made contact with Deng’s head and Deng fell to the floor. Law later accepted an early guilty plea, reducing a one-game suspension to a $1,000 fine.

Plenty happening in The Jungle 😅
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– Watch #NBL22 live on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports 📺 pic.twitter.com/aURlMOjRfb— The NBL (@NBL) December 17, 2021

Deng (14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided an important spark against Tasmania at Nissan Arena on February 26 as Brisbane ended a run of seven losses from eight games with a 94-86 victory. Franks (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Patterson (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 10 assists) led the Bullets, while McVeigh (21 points) was Tasmania’s joint-leading scorer.

Deng’s best scoring game came against New Zealand at Cairns Convention Centre on March 24, where he made 6-of-7 shots and finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block as Brisbane recovered from 99-92 down with 14 seconds remaining to win 101-100 in overtime. After Franks (31 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Tanner Krebs made late three-pointers, Deng stole the Breakers’ inbounds pass with five seconds remaining and found Drmic (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) for the game-winning three-pointer as time expired, while Wetzell (23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand.

Brisbane held a 5-9 record at the halfway point before injuries further disrupted Duncan’s rotation. Franks (18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds across 27 games) finished fifth in the NBL in scoring, while Patterson (16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 27 games), Sobey (16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 12 games), Cadee (10.4 points and 5 assists across 28 games), Drmic (7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 26 games) and Harrison (6.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 17 games) were the team’s other major contributors. Sobey missed 16 games with a knee injury and Harrison missed 11 with an elbow injury, while Brisbane finished as the league’s worst defensive team at 89.3 points conceded per game and led the NBL with 14.6 turnovers per game.

Franks received the Leroy Loggins MVP Award and Members’ MVP, Salt (2.9 points across 21 games) was named Players’ Player, Deng received Defensive Player of the Year and Liu (2.9 points across 23 games) won Young Player of the Year.

Brisbane closed the season with only seven players able to take the floor against Cairns at Cairns Convention Centre on April 23, where Deng (12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced one of his strongest all-round performances, while Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Krebs (20 points) led the Bullets. McCall (42 points, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) produced the first 40-point, 10-assist game of the NBL’s 40-minute era as Cairns won 112-98 and Brisbane finished eighth with a 10-18 record.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2022/23
After reaching the NBL semifinals in consecutive seasons, Illawarra entered the 2022/23 campaign without Brian Goorjian, who departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the newly established East Asia Super League. Long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas was promoted to head coach, but Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne) and Harry Froling (to Brisbane) departed, while long-time captain AJ Ogilvy retired, leaving Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling as the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.

Jackomas added Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney), Mangok Mathiang (via Casey), who returned to professional basketball after recovering from a long-term injury, and imports Justin Robinson and George King.

Deng Deng (via Brisbane) returned to Illawarra on a one-year deal after previously playing 39 games for the Hawks during the 2020/21 season. Jackomas said, “Deng Deng was one of our main targets for the off-season”, highlighting his improvement as a shooter, defensive character and the opportunity for him to take on a larger role.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where Deng (0 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist), Lachlan Dent (19 points) and Harvey (18 points) led the Hawks, while Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) guided the Kings to a 106-97 win. Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) suffered a meniscus tear during the third quarter but completed the game before undergoing surgery that ended his season.

Five days later, Deng (5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks) helped Illawarra collect its first victory against South East Melbourne, with Harvey (22 points and 5 rebounds) and King (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) providing the scoring. Junior Madut (21 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix, but the Hawks won 85-72.

Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games) started all 28 games and produced the best season of his NBL career, establishing career-high averages in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals while becoming one of the few Hawks to remain available throughout the injury-ravaged campaign.

Robinson’s injury led to Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across five games) being brought in as a short-term replacement before Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) joined the Hawks on October 19. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) later returned to the United States after scans revealed the extent of a persistent ankle and lower-leg injury, with Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) signed as his replacement on November 21. By mid-November, Illawarra had fallen to 1-9, forcing Dent (4.9 points across 25 games), Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points across 28 games) and William Hickey (4.8 points across 24 games) into larger roles, before Siva’s season was also ended by a shoulder injury.

Deng’s first major scoring performance came against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 15, where he finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Harvey (16 points) and Froling (12 points and 8 rebounds) provided support, but Craig Randall II (28 points) led the 36ers to a 90-80 win.

Illawarra finally ended its nine-game losing streak against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 5, where Deng (11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) contributed at both ends of the floor. Froling (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) and Frazier II (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Hawks, while Rayjon Tucker (27 points) was Melbourne’s leading scorer as Illawarra won 93-79.

Deng’s best all-round game came in Cairns on December 10, where he finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Frazier II (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Froling (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) helped Illawarra build a 16-point lead, while Tahjere McCall (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns. Harvey forced overtime with a three-pointer during the final seconds of regulation, before the Taipans escaped with a 102-101 double-overtime win.

Deng’s best scoring game came against Adelaide on January 6, where he finished with a career-high 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Harvey (22 points and 2 steals) and Froling (14 points and 10 rebounds) helped the Hawks lead by eight points with four minutes remaining, but Daniel Johnson (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide as the 36ers closed the game with 17 unanswered points to win 103-95. Frazier II (11 points) also suffered a broken left arm during the first half, joining Robinson, King and Siva as Illawarra imports whose seasons had ended through injury.

Illawarra collected its third victory against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19, where Deng (2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) contributed defensively alongside Harvey (25 points and 3 steals) and Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds). Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers, who moved ahead through a late Tom Abercrombie steal and dunk before Harvey made a long three-pointer as time expired to give the Hawks a 78-76 win.

Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring and received the Members’ Choice Award, while Froling (14 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) was named club MVP and finished second in voting for the NBL’s Next Generation Award. Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games) provided support inside, while Daniel Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games) returned in Round 11 following two injury-interrupted seasons and received the Community Award. Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year and Akoldah Gak (1 point across 13 games) received the Players’ Player Award.

Despite losing four imports through injury, the Hawks remained competitive during stretches of the season and suffered 14 losses by ten points or fewer.

Illawarra closed the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Deng (6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block), Harvey (13 points) and Froling (12 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) guided the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving Illawarra in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.

Deng Deng played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 114 NBL games.