Melbourne teenager Deng Adel lands US basketball scholarship 16-year-old Sudanese basket baller and Xavier College Student Deng Adel has just landed a basketball scholarship at a US high school. A MELBOURNE teenager has the world at his feet after landing a rare $20,000 basketball scholarship to a US high school. At 17, Sudanese-born Deng Adel's talents stretch beyond his years. He towers over 2m and is already able to slam dunk. Adel's coach was blown away by the young migrant after he was recommended to him by an ex-student from his school, Xavier College. And just weeks ago, his coach told him he was off to the US on a scholarship. Deng Adel is off to the US on a basketball scholarship. He hopes to one day turn his dream into reality by following in slightly taller NBA basketball star LeBron James' footsteps. I'm excited. At the high school I am hoping to get more exposure and work hard to get into a good competition, like the NBA or somewhere overseas," he said. Adel won't be far from his idol either, attending Victory Rock Prep School in Florida, the state home to James's champion Miami Heat team. The year 11 student has called Fitzroy and Sunshine home since 2004 after he, his mum and five siblings fled war-torn Sudan. Xavier College Student Deng Adel flies to the US on Tuesday after landing a basketball scholarship. His father still lives in Sudan. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, as he's seen first-hand through a youth group he co-created how issues hold back many migrants. Adel flies to the US next Tuesday.