Let’s check out Luol Deng’s net worth in 2024 as reports emerged online indicating that the former basketball player had spent his own money to help build a team that can bring an Olympic medal home
For the unversed, former Miami Heat small forward Luol Deng dreamed of bringing Olympic basketball to his native South Sudan. However, they had no team due to a lack of talent and financial resources.
Deng, who played in the Olympics for Great Britain because South Sudan had no team, aimed to change that. He used some of his NBA earnings to help build the team, as revealed by South Sudan coach Royal Ivey.
What is the net worth of Luol Deng in 2024 as he funds the Sudan national basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics
In a statement earlier, Ivey stated, “Luol Deng has been funding South Sudan’s national basketball program out of his pocket for four years. He pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets, everything. Kudos to Luol and the staff. We wouldn’t be able to put this team together without them.”
Luol Deng has been funding South Sudan's national basketball program out of his own pocket for four years, per Royal Ivey
“Luol Deng has been funding this thing for four years out of his own pocket. He pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets—everything. Kudos to Luol and the… pic.twitter.com/AeN0x9tDD4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 29, 2024
Deng also serves as the president of the South Sudanese Olympic team. During the telecast of the United States-Serbia game, Deng’s former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade, who was providing color commentary, gave him a shoutout.
Wade mentioned how proud he was of Deng for his accomplishments in South Sudan. The team lost to the U.S. in an exhibition game 101-100 after leading at halftime. South Sudan had a chance to win the game on the final possession but missed.
So, let’s find out the earnings and net worth of the former South Sudanese-British small forward.
Luol Deng’s Earnings & Net Worth
For the curious, as per various reports, the professional basket player has a whopping net worth of $200 million in 2024 and he had made a sum of $166 million during his 15-years NBA career.
Deng, who began his professional career with a $2 million contract, is now a hundred times richer.
His first signing with the Bulls was a $2.5 million per year deal for four years. During his time with the Bulls, Deng earned most of his accolades, including two NBA All-Star selections (2012, 2013) and an NBA All-Defensive Second Team nod (2012).
After his tenure with the Bulls, Deng played for various teams before finally settling with the LA Lakers in 2016. His $72 million four-year contract with the Lakers made him the fourth-highest-paid player on the team.
Despite being waived in 2018 due to underperformance, Deng continued to receive $5 million increments per season.
In 2014, he ventured into the investment market with his private fund company, which also includes investments in real estate such as hotels, resorts, condos etc.
His business ventures and his non-profit organization, the Luol Deng Foundation, have significantly contributed to his gross net worth of $200 million.