Deng 'proud' to embrace refugee status

Luol Deng, a Sudan-born forward for the LA Lakers who is now a British citizen, called himself a "proud refugee" on Monday as he condemned US President Donald Trump's travel ban on Muslims.

Deng was born in Wau, which became part of South Sudan in 2011. After fleeing the region for Egypt, he became a British citizen in 2006, playing for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

"I am a proud refugee," Deng said in a statement posted on Twitter. "I would not be where I am today if it weren't for the opportunity to find refuge in a safe harbor. For the people of South Sudan, refugee resettlement has saved countless lives, just as it has for families all over the world escaping the depths of despair."

Deng stressed the struggles of refugees to simply survive and then escape the violence around them.

"It's important we remember to humanize the experience of others," he wrote.

"Refugees overcome immeasurable odds, relocate across the globe and work hard to make the best of their newfound home. Refugees are productive members of society that want for their family just as you want for yours.

"I stand by all refugees and migrants, of all religions, just as I stand by the policies that have historically welcomed them."

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke out strongly against the ban on Sunday.

"If we're trying to combat terrorism by banishing people from coming to this country, we're really going against the principles of what our country is about, and creating fear," said Kerr, whose father, Malcolm Kerr, was shot in 1984 while serving as president of the American University of Beirut."