Ecstatic Luol Deng becomes first Brit to be named in basketball's All-Star clash

Luol Deng today became the first Briton to be named in basketball's glittering All-Star clash.

The Chicago Bulls and GB star has been selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference at the clash in Orlando's Amway Center on Sunday 26 February.

Deng, who began his career at Brixton Topcats, said: "Words can't describe how happy I am to make my first All Star game. Thanks to all my supporters and my coaches who voted for me."

The 61st annual All-Star Game will be live on ESPN, starting at midnight, and will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.

The Great Britain ace will join the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Bulls team-mate Derrick Rose at the NBA's showpiece midseason event.

The starters for the teams were voted by fans across the world and the reserves were subsequently selected by the 30 NBA head coaches.

Selected to start in the East were Derrick Rose (Bulls), LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), and Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic). The other East reserves are Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers), Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets).

The West's team will be Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers), Blake Griffin and Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), and Kevin Durant (Thunder). The reserves feature LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers), Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).