Fansided

Miami Heat’s Luol Deng issues statement on Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng (left) is presented the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award by sports writer Mary Schmitt Boyer prior to a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Quicken Loans Arena. The award is named after the second commissioner of the NBA and is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng (left) is presented the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award by sports writer Mary Schmitt Boyer prior to a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Quicken Loans Arena. The award is named after the second commissioner of the NBA and is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It hasn’t been a good couple of days for the Atlanta Hawks.

More from Atlanta Hawks

First, Hawks’ owner  Bruce Levenson announced he was selling his share of the team because of insensitive, racist comments he made an e-mail. Then, Hawks’ general manager Danny Ferry got into trouble because of a scouting report concerning current Miami Heat forward Luol Deng, who the Hawks courted in free agent.

In a scouting report, Ferry reportedly said Deng, “is still a young guy overall. He is a good guy overall. But he is not perfect. He’s got some African in him. And I don’t say that in a bad way.” Ferry has since apologized to both Deng and his agent and has released a statement.

“In regards to the insensitive remarks that were used during our due diligence process, I was repeating comments that were gathered from numerous sources during background conversations and scouting about different players. I repeated those comments during a telephone conversation reviewing the draft and free agency process. Those words do not reflect my views, or words that I would use to describe an individual and I certainly regret it. I apologize to those I offended and to Luol, who I reached out to Monday morning.”

Deng has now released a statement of his own via Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“HE HAS A LITTLE AFRICAN IN HIM”

“These words were recently used to describe me.  It would ordinarily make any African parent proud to hear their child recognized for their heritage.”

“I’m proud to say I actually have a lot of African in me, not just “a little”. For my entire life, my identity has been a source of pride and strength. Among my family and friends, in my country of South Sudan and across the broader continent of Africa, I can think of no greater privilege than to do what I love for a living while also representing my heritage on the highest stage. Unfortunately, the comment about my heritage was not made with the same respect and appreciation.”

“Concerning my free agency, the focus should purely have been on my professionalism and my ability as an athlete. Every person should have the right to be treated with respect and evaluated as an individual, rather than be reduced to a stereotype. I am saddened and disappointed that this way of thinking still exists today. I am even more disturbed that it was shared so freely in a business setting.”

“However, there is comfort in knowing that there are people who aren’t comfortable with it and have the courage to speak up. In the same way a generalization should not define a group of people, the attitude of a few should not define a whole organization or league.”

“Ultimately, I’m thankful to be with an organization that appreciates me for who I am and has gone out of its way to make me feel welcome.”

That is obviously a very powerful statement by Deng, who is widely known as one of the better human beings in professional sports.

Deng averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field, 30.2% from three and 79.1% from the charity stripe. Over the course of his 10-year career, Deng has averaged 16.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, 32.9% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

Home/Atlanta Hawks