BRITS TO BATTLE IN NBA
04/14/2009

THREE BRITS will come together in tomorrow's final regular season game for the Chicago Bulls, when they host the Toronto Raptors.

Although Bulls captain Luol Deng remains sidelined through injury his teammate Ben Gordon will face fellow Londoner Pops Mensah-Bonsu.

While it will be the Raptors' last outing this season, given they've not made playoffs, Mensah-Bonsu has been quick to recognise the significance of the game as being more than his last official one in the Toronto jersey.

"It shows just how far the game has come in Great Britain that in Chicago we will have two players involved - myself and Ben - with Luol looking on," said the 25-year-old.

"You have to say that's pretty good and hopefully the start of something. I believe there are other British players with the ability to play NBA. If you get a few of us making a breakthrough perhaps others will follow.

"It will be great to see Luol there and hopefully there will be time for a proper catch up. Ben is a stand-out player and has been really strong for the Bulls as they have closed in on their play-off place. He is going to contribute so much to British Basketball over the next few years."

Great Britain head-coach Chris Finch also believes it is the beginning of a British influx in the State.

"Over the years with guys like John Amaechi we have had a representative here and there but this is the first time we can see some guys there for the long haul," said Finch.

"Luol, Ben and Pops will stick while guys like Joel Freeland will hopefully get a chance too. More and more we are producing guys who are NBA athletes with NBA bodies first and foremost who develop quickly. With the way the NBA game has changed they are turning more to unfinished products whom they can develop."

And Mensah-Bonsu, Finch believes, is one of those 'unfinished products' who has shown great focus and belief to put himself back in contention in the NBA, after brief spells at the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.

While Finch is confident Mensah-Bonsu has done enough to earn himself a contract, which would be good news for Britain, so too does the 6'10" Londoner.

"I feel I have proved myself to be an NBA player over the last month or so with the Raptors. It's never easy parachuting into a team but I feel I have done pretty well during my game time," added Mensah-Bonsu.

"The NBA is where I want to be playing all my basketball. I know I can produce more given the opportunity.

"The contract negotiations for the future will come after the Chicago game and hopefully they can be sorted quickly.

"Then I need some rest and time to work on my overall fitness before building again towards the GB summer camp and Game On At The O2 in August. That will be an important stepping stone before Eurobasket in Poland in September."

For tickets and more information please go to www.gameongb.com