THE $80m man proved worth his weight in gold as Great Britain christened Northumbria University’s new £30m indoor arena with a thrilling Luol Deng-inspired victory over dogged Macedonia.

On the day the wrapping was taken off the impressive new Sport Central venue, Team GB looked set for a damaging defeat against Group B joint favourites Macedonia until a decisive intervention from star turn Deng, Britain’s richest athlete.

Trailing 84-87 with just six seconds on the clock, the Chicago Bulls forward – on his way to a double double of 23 points – sank a crucial shot from the three point line to rescue GB’s Eurobasket qualification hopes and send a 2,000-strong home crowd into raptures.

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