Teenager's hoop dreams come true

John Allison is relishing the chance to play and study in America. Enlarge Image

A teenager at Swansea College has been given a $100,000 four-year basketball scholarship at an American university.

John Allison, 18 and 7ft (2.13m) tall, will fly to Kennesaw State University, Georgia, next summer, hoping to make the grade in the professional game.

John, originally from Livingston, West Lothian, was singled out when playing at Swansea College basketball academy.

"America is the home of basketball and it is every player's dream to go there," he said.

Studying and playing there is going to be a real experience John Allison

John took up the sport only two years ago, and moved to Swansea to continue his studies combined with basketball training.

His life was transformed when a Kennesaw scout saw him and approached his coach, Todd Stone.

"You've got to be academically gifted and a top player to get into a division one college like Kennesaw," said the coach.

"It is a real achievement."

'Amazing'

John said the scout had watched him play "liked what he saw and he offered to fly me out to see if I liked the university."

He went on: "He offered me a full scholarship. He liked how I played and I liked the university.

"If I can make money from it then definitely I want to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association).

"I want to finish college first, I want to do four or five years there and then anything could happen. If I could be involved in that it would be amazing."

He emphasised, however that the $100,000 would not go into his pocket.

"The money goes to my tuition and my housing and stuff. I don't get paid for it - they are going to pay everything for me."

He will finish the academic year in Swansea before travelling to the US in August.

"The culture is so different to Britain and living, studying and playing there is going to be a real experience," he said.