NBA veteran retires as member of Chicago Bulls

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Luol Deng, a British basketball player with African roots, officially retired from the NBA on Thursday as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls said on their website that Deng, 34, joined the Eastern Conference franchise to retire by signing a ceremonial one-day contract.

"We're very fortunate and humbled that Luol has chosen to retire as a Chicago Bull," Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement.

"He was a role model on and off the court during his nine-plus years in Chicago, and he gave everything he had to help us win. I want to thank Luol for not only what he accomplished on the court for the team, but also for the leadership he demonstrated through his philanthropic efforts," said Reinsdorf.

The Bulls added that they will honor him at a game this season.

Drafted by the Bulls in 2004, Deng, who originally hails from South Sudan, played for the franchise for 10 seasons.

After spending a decade in Chicago, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.

The following season, he moved to the Miami Heat.

In 2016, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers and played two seasons with the Western Conference franchise.

Deng was a Minnesota Timberwolves player last season.

The two-time All-Star played in 902 games over 15 seasons in the NBA, during which he averaged 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.