Worthing Thunder giant Kadiri Richard has uncovered the identity of his mystery fan.

A figure calling himself Slam Man has, via a basketball website, been singing the praises of the American centre since he signed in the close season.

Now Richard has revealed the fan is a close friend from his days playing in Canada two seasons ago.

Barry Misener owns a cycle shop in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

He became friends with Richard when the 6ft 8in crowd pleaser was playing for nearby Halifax Rainmen.

Richard said: “Barry became like my father figure out there.

“He owns a bicycle shop with all those nice Lance Armstrong cycles and stuff and he is very supportive to me.

“I speak to him every three days or so.”

Misener first posted on the site in mid-September, telling Thunder fans: “Just letting you know your prayers have been answered. Please welcome this young man to your town and make him feel at home.

“I only wish we were so lucky to have him here in Halifax.”

He plans to take a front row seat at a Thunder game some time this season.

Richard, who went into the crowd to celebrate after last Saturday’s last-gasp win over Glasgow, will hope his team are well on the way to the play-offs by then.

He said: “We’re serious. We’re not here on vacation. We’re in for two or three hours a day, working out. No slight to the imports here last season but we’re a different core.

“If we all play our parts successfully we will do well as a team. We’re not trying to finish in the middle, we’re trying to finish top three. We’re trying to exceed ten or 20 wins. Let’s get 25 wins, let’s get 30 wins.”

Thunder face a tricky away test at Milton Keynes on Sunday (4pm).

Lions have won one of three so far, though they were well in the game at home to Glasgow last Friday before losing Yorick Williams with an ankle injury.

Williams returns this weekend as MK, who also include veterans Robert Youngblood, Mike New and Dru Spinks, look to bounce back from that 96-78 reverse.

Standings (won-lost): Newcastle 3-0, Guildford 2-0, Thunder 2-1, Chester 2-1, Leicester 2-1, Essex 1-1, Glasgow 1-2, MK 1-2, Everton 0-1, Plymouth 0-1, London 0-2, Worcester 0-3.