And, baby, when I tell ya the boy has got his own money, I mean the boy has got his own MONEY! – Cleo, Coming To America
By Nick Friedell
CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is one of four people being featured on new currency in England.
“The Brixton Pound is money that sticks to Brixton,” said a release on Deng’s website. “It’s designed to support Brixton businesses and encourage local trade and production. It’s a complementary currency, working alongside (not replacing) pounds sterling, for use by independent local shops and traders.”
After moving to England as a child, Deng spent plenty of time honing his basketball craft in Brixton.
He will represent Great Britain during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
“I am honoured to be featured on the new Brixton Pound notes,” Deng said in a statement released through his foundation. “I grew up in Brixton as a young teenager playing basketball for the Brixton Topcats which marked the beginning of my career. So it is with great pleasure that I am helping to support the local community that played a vital part in getting where I am today.”
Deng is featured on the five-pound note. Singer David Bowie, activist Lenford Kwesi Garrison and World War II secret agent Violette Szabo are the other people featured on the new currency.
Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.
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