Instant Impact: Luol Deng

Lanky freshman pegged to replace Jones for Blue Devils

Luol Deng Fr., Duke Position: SF   Ht.: 6'8"  Wt.: 220 High School: Blair (N.J.) Academy Hometown: London, England TheInsiders.com Ranking: No. 2 overall, No. 1 small forward PHOTO: AP SI.com's Impact Freshmen Brandon Bass LSU Tigers Luol Deng Duke Blue Devils Martin Iti Charlotte 49ers David Padgett Kansas Jayhawks Mustafa Shakur Arizona Wildcats Charlie Villanueva UConn Huskies Von Wafer FSU Seminoles

After LeBron, comes Luol -- as in Luol Deng, arguably the second-best prospect to come out of the Class of 2003. And Deng, unlike Mr. James, chose college.

Deng's path to Duke started in the Sudan, a country that has seen more than 2 million of its residents die in a 20-year civil war. Deng's father, a government official, arranged for his family to escape Sudan's bloody battle, fleeing to Egypt when Luol was five. The Dengs left Africa for good two years later, moving to London, and at the age of 14, Luol was sent to prep school in the U.S. at Blair Academy, where he was recruited by Mike Krzyzewski.

While LeBron deals with the NBA spotlight and the burden of the league's future on his shoulders, Deng will develop in Durham.

That's not to say he won't be thrown into the NCAA fire, though -- he was in the starting lineup in the Blue Devils' first exhibition game on Nov. 5.

The Hype

Deng's introduction to basketball came when he saw Sudan native Manute Bol teach his brothers the game, but he models his game after a former Duke star who also played small forward -- Grant Hill. Deng wore No. 33 at Blair Academy to honor Hill, his boyhood hero.

Deng's 7-foot wingspan and lanky athleticism has Krzyzewski and current Duke players excited.

"They recognize he'll be one of the best players, not only on our team but in the conference and the country," Krzyzewski said.

Floor leader Chris Duhon thinks Deng, who was named the preseason Freshman of the Year in the ACC, will be all over the court.

"He's just long. It seems like he gets every rebound and every loose ball. It seems like he can jump from the 3-point line and lay it up. He uses his body well. He's probably our best inside finisher when it comes to making layups in traffic. He's going to be a guy who does it all for us."

Despite all the hype, Deng may not even be the best player coming out of Blair -- fellow 2003 grad Charlie Villanueva is expected to play a major role for preseason No. 1 UConn.

His Role

Deng started at small forward in Duke's first exhibition, scoring 12 points and picking up eight rebounds and five assists. In Duke's first intrasquad scrimmage, he scored 18 points.

With Shavlik Randolph and Shelden Williams patrolling the lane, Deng will have room to roam and take advantage of his seemingly unlimited 6-foot-8 athleticism.

Deng likely will start at the No. 3 spot, with Duhon and freshman J.J. Redick at the 1 and 2, respectively. Junior Daniel Ewing, who scored 23 points in the Blue Devils' first exhibition game, will come off the bench.

He's no LeBron, but Duke expects a lot out of Deng, who must fill the role vacated by Dahntay Jones. And the Blue Devils expect him to contribute immediately.

"He can basically freelance and we can play off of him because he makes great decisions," Duhon said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.