NBA
Deng Preparing for Next Chapter of Basketball Career
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
It’s been said that 30 is the new 20, but just a few weeks away from his milestone birthday, Luol Deng feels much older. The 11th year NBA veteran has been preparing for this next chapter of his life all season.
Deng will turn 30 years old on April 16, the day following the end of the regular season. Whether the Miami HEAT advance to the playoffs or head home for the summer, it marks the start of an important change for Deng.
“I think that’s a message for me that says this may be my last fun summer before it all goes serious,” Deng said with a laugh.
The reality is, Deng has been serious about this for months. He already has reached out to Steve Nash and Richard Hamilton about how they approached their 30s. Nash retired at 41 last weekend; Hamilton, 37, announced the end of his career in February. Deng also plans to talk to additional veterans.
“I look at guys who are successful at 30 and I’ve been in touch with guys that made it happen,” Deng told Basketball Insiders. “The sacrifices are going to be huge in what I have to do, but I’m looking forward to it. I still think I have a lot of basketball left in me and I want to be great at it.”
Deng made his NBA debut on November 5, 2004 when he was only 19 years old. Since then he has clocked over 28,000 minutes between the regular season and playoffs. Aside from his rookie campaign, he has averaged 33 minutes or more in every season.
He is averaging 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and two assists in 33.5 minutes this season as a starter for the HEAT.
Deng’s body has been put through more than just long stretches on the court. His career has been hampered by a wide range of injuries – setbacks that can take a toll on the body and fast track the years.
“I feel 45,” Deng said. “I feel old.”
Deng is preparing himself at 29 so his mid-30s don’t sneak up on him. He believes one key to his success will be focusing more on his diet, staying disciplined year round and skipping offseason splurges.
Deng also stressed the importance of scheduling his sleeping patterns and spending more time on his game. Small adjustments can add up over time.
“You’ve got to be smart and realize how your body feels,” he said. “I see people that are successful and what they’ve done. It’s not an accident that their diet is so organized and strict. … You have to take every advantage you can.”
There are many players who don’t spend as long in the NBA as Deng has, let alone doing so before the age of 30. He still plans to be in the league for many more years, though, and in this case he doesn’t want age to be anything but a number.
“I want to be consistent,” Deng said. “I want to be as effective as I am now. I don’t want to be declining. I really want to challenge myself to have my best basketball [ahead of me]. I know it’s very difficult, but you can do it.”
