Nick and Elliot together with Luol Deng.
The view of the court at the O2 Arena in London.
A happy Elliot in the Lakers jersey.

BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHT IN LONDON: A NIGHT WITH LUOL DENG

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, Nick and his ten-year-old son Elliot set off with the whole family to London. Elliot, a passionate basketball player, had always dreamed of seeing NBA stars live at a basketball game. This dream was about to come true at the friendly match between the USA and South Sudan in the O2 Arena in London. The game was part of the preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and promised to be an exciting experience.

The atmosphere in the O2 Arena was truly special. The crowd roared as LeBron James scored an impressive dunk right at the beginning of the game and followed it up with another slam, giving the USA an early 10-2 lead. However, South Sudan fought back and took the lead in the first quarter thanks to a strong performance from the three-point line.

The game turned into a real thriller. The American team, consisting of superstars like LeBron James, Derrick White, and Stephen Curry, fought back from a double-digit deficit and narrowly won 101-100. The tension in the arena was palpable, and the fans witnessed basketball at its highest level.

For Elliot, it was an unforgettable day. He was able to see his idols live and experience the thrilling atmosphere of such a game up close.

But the highlight of the day was yet to come: after the game, Nick and Elliot had the opportunity to meet former NBA All-Star Luol Deng in person. Deng, who serves as the president of the South Sudanese federation and assistant coach, took the time for a photo with them. This meeting was a special experience for Elliot and perfectly rounded off the day.

Thanks to Nick’s donation to the Luol Deng Foundation, they not only had an unforgettable evening in London but also supported an organization that creates opportunities through sports and development.

Thank you, Nick, for your donation, and we hope you will always remember your VIPrize experience with Luol!