Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2006-07 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today.
Originally presented following the 1995-96 season, the Sportsmanship Award honors a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. The trophy is named for former Detroit Pistons guard and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, the award?s first recipient.
Deng, also a Central Division nominee for the 2005-06 season, was one of six divisional winners, including Atlanta?s Joe Johnson (Southeast), Houston?s Shane Battier (Southwest), the Los Angeles Clippers? Elton Brand (Pacific), Toronto?s Anthony Parker (Atlantic) and Utah?s Derek Fisher (Northwest). Brand won the award in 2005-06.