A BASKETBALL wizard from Hammer will be flying off to America later this year to further his ambitions at one of the best universities in the country.

Jason Brooks (17) has won a scholarship to study at the famous Princeton University in New Jersey. He was one of only 5,000 out of 15,000 applicants who were offered a place there this year.

"It's great from an academic point of view", said Jason. "It means I can study several different subjects as well as basketball. I know that I will have to give up basketball one day, so it makes sense to have other qualifications behind you."

Together with basketball he also plans to study philosophy, French and English. He is currently at Alton College finishing A-levels in maths, further maths and chemistry.

A well-known figure in Hammer, Jason has been playing for the England Cadet men's team since 1998, and was recently picked to play for the England under-20 team.

He was also the first person ever to win both the Cadet (under 17) and junior awards as the English Basketball Association's Player of the Year.

"I started playing basketball at Bohunt School, and realised that as I've always been tall for my age, I had an aptitude for it! By the end of year 9, I realised I was good at it. My coach sent me for a trial for the England Cadet team."

Jason chose to do a basketball course in America because English universities are "not in the same league" when it comes to teaching his favourite sport.

His parents have been very supportive of his decision, and Jason promises to come home as often as he can afford to visit them.

Looking ahead, Jason hopes that if successful he will go on to play for a professional team, but says as yet he doesn't have a favourite.