• London Olympics 2012

USA basketball stars to face Team GB in Manchester

Luol Deng and Team GB will face the might of the United States in Manchester © PA Photos

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Great Britain's basketball teams will face the United States in London 2012 warmup matches in Manchester next July.

The games - for both the men's and women's squads - will see the reigning Olympic champions face off against Team GB, after it was recently confirmed they will both be given automatic qualifying berths for the forthcoming Games.

The MEN Arena will play host to the matches, branded the 'Global Community Cup'.

"I cannot think of a more exciting prospect for fans in the UK than to see Great Britain play the USA Basketball men's national team in Manchester in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics," Luol Deng, British forward with the Chicago Bulls, said.

Team GB's men's team have qualified for the past two Eurobasket tournaments, but will look forward to measuring themselves against arguably the finest squad in the international game. NBA stars including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade are all expected to be involved in the squad in just over a year's time.

"The USA-Great Britain games in Manchester will be a terrific prelude to London in 2012," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. "The games are key components of the training plan for the 2012 USA Basketball men's and women's national teams.

"I'm sure that both USA teams will feature some of basketball's best players and coaches, and I'm confident the games will be memorable events for all basketball fans."

The games will be the latest in an increased exposure of the sport to these shores, after the O2 Arena played host to two NBA regular season games - between the New York Nets and Toronto Raptors - at the start of March.

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