Luol Deng admitted playing Olympic basketball is different to what he is accustomed to in the NBA but stressed he took positives from the new environment.

The Chicago Bulls forward was Team GB’s top scorer last night but was unable to prevent his side falling to a 95-75 loss to Russia.

Deng netted 26 points for the host nation but conceded afterwards it had been a demanding challenge against the Russians.

He explained: “It is definitely difficult. It is a different game. It is exhausting and it is definitely different to playing with Chicago.

“But it helps my game also. I get to handle the ball, play a bigger role, but saying all of that, I just try to do whatever I can for us to win.”

Deng added it was a fantastic opportunity to be playing in front of a home crowd and hopes the squad can help further develop basketball in the UK.

“It was special. We are the underdog but it is exciting. We are playing in the Olympics and we are out there competing. It is a great feeling to be out here, to be an Olympian and to compete,” he continued.

“It is just a special moment. For us growing up basketball didn’t get much attention. We are playing against the best in the world where basketball is everything in their country.

“We have dreams and we want to develop the game. Hopefully we have youngsters watching who follow in our footsteps.”