Brighton Bears coach Nick Nurse wants Sussex basketball youngsters to start making up ground on their American counterparts.

The club's basketball academy goes into its third week today under the guidance of Brighton coach and general manager Nurse.

Youngsters are treated to up to three hours' coaching at Bears' training base at the University of Sussex sports centre in Falmer.

The club also run separate pre-game skills sessions for every home fixture.

Today's gets underway at 5pm at the Triangle, with the £10 charge to include an hour's professional coaching, refreshments and a ticket for the crunch BBL clash with London Towers.

Nurse said: "My assistant Steve Swanson and I do a lot of the coaching and we like to get the players involved as well.

"But really the whole point is giving the kids somewhere decent to play. The kids we have seen are not too bad.

"I think they have played more than their counterparts maybe 15 years or so ago in this country would have done and they have got more idea of what they are supposed to be doing on court.

"But they lack a lot of the fundamental skills the kids in the States would have at the same age."

The Bears Basketball Academy runs every Saturday with sessions from noon to 1.30pm and 1.30-3pm.

It is open to boys and girls aged up to 18 and is priced £3 for one session or £5 for the full three hours.

Turn up on the day or contact the Bears on (01273) 626943 or at www.brightonbears.com