Basketball: The ball's in Spencer's court (From Swindon Advertiser)

Basketball: The ball's in Spencer's court

10:20am Tuesday 26th August 2008

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SWINDON’S Spencer Wells is set to make a giant leap in the world of basketball, when he takes the plunge to America for a scholarship which could launch his career to the next level, writes AARON LEIGHFIELD.

Starting out in the playground, Wells has quickly worked his way up, playing for teams including Swindon Sonics, Solent Kestrels Under 16s and South West England Under 18s.

As well as this, Wells was also offered trials for the England Under 18s back in May, although they were unfortunately cancelled due to the the team’s lack of need for new players.

Now looking to cross the pond, the player expects to spend a year in an American prep school, starting September next year.

Wells, pictured, said: “I’m very pleased with the opportunity, this is a good way for me to improve my basketball.

“I know some of the coaches there and they are all good. It’s also a way for me to get better training.

“The England trials were a shame. They cancelled them because they decided they didn’t need any more good players.

“I’m still looking to try and get in there though. I’ve been speaking to the assistant coach, trying to sort it out. There’s a lot going on at the moment.”

As a result of the his move to the States, Wells’ other sporting passion is likely to suffer.

As well as being a hopeful basketball player, Wells is also a world class jet-skier, finishing as runner-up in the World Freestyle Championships in 2007.

He said: “Because basketball is going to be taking up so much time, the jet-skiing is going to have to take a back seat.

“I’ll still do it in my spare time, but I think it’s going to become more of a hobby.”

The only obstacle stannding in the way of the USA dream is the fact that Wells’ father Danny is currently waiting for a work visa to allow him to go out to America and seek employment.

Wells junior added: “The waiting list for the visa is unbelieveably long, sometimes it can take up to a year.

“Even when you have family out there, you still have to have interviews and fill forms, then you have to just wait and see.”

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