Basketball’s international ruling body, F.I.B.A. voted to include the British Men's and Women's basketball teams in the 2012 Olympics.

It’s usually nearly automatic for the host country to be awarded a spot in the Olympics, but the British teams had to prove they were worthy because of their weak competitive history.

“I’m really excited. We’re really happy to get it,” said Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng, who will be one of the biggest stars of the British Olympic team.  The Pistons guard Ben Gordon and former NBA player Pops Mensah-Bonsu are also expected to play for the British team.