HOOP dreaming Matt Hogarth takes his game to America later this week in an effort to make it to the big time.

The former Manchester Giants and England International will step to the other side of the pond to embark on a four year scholarship at Division One college Northeastern Louisiana University, while attempting to achieve a life long ambition that every kid fantasises about.

The 18-year-old said: "I'm very excited about being given the chance to take my game to the next level. The college game in the states is very strong and I will be playing against some of the very best."

Hogarth is one of British basketball's hottest properties. Already in his resume is the Most Valuable Player award from the 1995 European Championships, add to that the Junior Finals MVP, winning the double with the Giants in 1996-97 and becoming the first non-American to take part in the Nike basketball camp.

The 6ft 5ins star will be stepping in to a league considered wholly American, the NBA has opened up a new opportunity for European players. In recent years it has recognised that European players can compete with the best in the NBA and Matt hopes that this door is still wide open when he comes out of college.

He added: "The NBA is something that every athlete looks up to. For me, if it happens then it happens. Sometimes things don't work out that way. Right now I'm excited at being in the NCAA because not many people get the chance to be where I am now."

And where Matt is right now is a generation that includes a number of youngsters. The road is very long but don't be surprised if in years to come you hear the name Matt Hogarth being whispered in the echelons of the sporting world - remember where you heard it first.

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