Luol Deng Nominated for FIBA Europe Player of the Year

Britain's best basketball player, Luol Deng, has bagged a nomination for the 2010 FIBA Europe Player of the Year.

The prestigious award honours players whose performances with his or her national team and/or sports club have reached the highest level of excellence. The award is voted on by the public, a panel of experts, media members and coaches from 25 different countries.

Greg Tanner, editor of MVP magazine, has been following Deng's career longer than most and feels that the nomination is fitting.

'It's great news that Luol has been nominated for FIBA European Player Of The Year - and he deserves it', says  Tanner. 'In terms of national duty, he was ridiculous this summer - averaging over 22 points, 8 boards and 3 assists as he led us to EuroBasket qualification. NBA-wise he's having a great season so far. He's thriving under the new leadership of coach Thibodeau, putting up good numbers and helping the Bulls to third place in the East. Luol winning would be a fitting tribute to his achievements this year - and would no doubt provide a welcome boost for the sport in Britain.'

Should Deng win the award, he will be the first Briton to do so in the awards five year history.

You've got until the 31st Jan to visit FIBA Europe and place your vote.

Good luck Luol!

What’s Your Craziest Sports Fantasy?

As I've already had the pleasure of golfing off the top of Tower 42, my current sports fantasy involves playing volleyball in Chanel kneepads and Swarovski studded kit, bit I suppose that’s more bougie than it is crazy...

Anyhow, if you have an absolutely ludicrous sport wish, MTV would like to hear from you.

MTV are developing a show that is all about granting people’s most bizarre, extreme and ludicrous sports wishes. 

The key with this show is for people to think of something they’d never dream of doing - something which really pushes the boundaries of anywhere the sport has been played before, or an extreme environment no one has ever had to play in before.  So long as it’s crazy enough (and legal) they’ll do their best to make it happen! 

If you have a weird and wonderful sport wish you would like granted e-mail: takepart@gallowgatetv.com or ring 020 7297 9814

Good luck!

Ready to Get Moving?

It’s that time of the year when everyone seems to shove a little more grub down their throats all the while reminding themselves that ‘come January I’ll get serious’. Yeah yeah.

Unless you plan on dumping every last remnant of your Christmas indulgences and all your bad habits in the bin on the 31^st of December, you’re probably setting yourself up for a fall.

What you could do is use the remainder of this month to research the tools you need for a realistic game plan for 2011 with Find Sports.

This free online sports directory can help you find a number of sports and fitness activities in an area near you. There are literally over 100 sports/activities to choose from – just pop your post code and preferred activity in the search and you’ll provided with a number of venues near you.

Excuses are futile – get clicking.

You Can Lead a Horse to the Water...

It’s fairly common knowledge that obesity is an issue that the UK is currently battling. I have many views on why obesity is a growing issue in Blighty – one of which involves the lack of availability of healthy food choices. However, after a recent trip to California, it suddenly dawned on me that tangible resources aren’t necessarily the issue.

Americans have access to EVERYTHING they need in order to live a healthy lifestyle:

• Numerous fitness magazines
• Massive natural/whole food stores
• Mainstream grocery store aisles dedicated to weight management
• Nutritional values on menus
• Lighter options on menus
• Alternative food choices e.g., turkey sausages, tofurkey, etc
• An abundance of parks and open spaces in which to burn calories

With all these options, you would think that the Americans on the whole would be as fit as a fiddle, but we all know this is not the case. It’s actually quite surprising that so many Americans still struggle to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Let's face it - resources without stimuli are pointless.  Until an individual is ready to make a change, you can build them a house made out of rice cakes and they’ll still find a way to get their hands on Krispy Kremes.