Sam Mead has turned basketball into a seven-days-a-week passion. Now he hopes that sort of dedication earns him a chance to play in the United States.

The 18-year-old guard has become a great favourite among Worthing Thunder fans with his lively cameo performances late in games.

His impressive ball handling skills have also made him a stand out player with Brighton Bears juniors.

Now Mead, who comes from Findon and learned basketball at school in Angmering, is hoping to follow the progress being made by some of his closest friends in the game.

They include Andy Smith, currently earning rave reviews at Kerr Vance Academy in North Carolina, and Oli Roche, who recently signed for the Bears in the BBL.

At exactly 6ft, there are fears that American talent spotters will overlook him for taller players.

Mead though has compiled a video to show off his talents and was today flying to New York to start putting the wheels in motion for a chance in the States.

If he makes it, it will be another feather in the cap of Sussex coaches like Dave Yates, Billy Hungrecker and Mark Hubbard, as well as Thunder playcaller Gary 'Chicken' Smith.

Mead, who is currently studying for his A levels, said: "I started playing when I was 11 or 12. At the school I go to basketball is one of the main sports. We have had a lot of success.

"I used to go to see Chicken Smith when he was with Bears. He would come and play at Angmering in the summer with the pro guys in the open game sessions we had there.

"He came and watched me and said he was looking for new players. He asked me along for the pre-season. The first year I just trained but this season I've got some games as well."

Mead's work ethic is well known around the local circuit. He has confidence in his ball handling and shooting, plays hard but admits he could do with bulking up a little.

Experienced players like Daniel Hildreth have been doing their bit to teach him the ropes at Thunder.

He said: "I get on really well with Danny. He's a quality player and knows the game well.

"He helps me out a lot but the Thunder guys are all really good.

"The first time I got on court for them I was nervous but now I just want to play all the time."

He added: "I play every day. I train with Thunder, I have two games at the weekend and, if I haven't got a game or training any day, I'll practise at school. I never go a day without playing.

"I'm point guard in the juniors although me and Oli sometimes switch roles for fun.

"With Thunder I can play shooting guard because we have got three or four players who play the point.

"Dave Yates started me off in the game. I would not be playing basketball now if it was not for him. Billy Hungrecker as well has been a great help for me.

"I'm good friends with Andy Smith and I look out for how he is getting on. He is doing really well.

"I look out for Richard Midgley as well although I don't know him."

Mead will be unavailable today as Thunder visit Sutton Pumas keen for a win.

Smith's men went down at Teesside and Reading last weekend and also need to avenge their Trophy defeat at Sutton earlier in the season.