Tom Frederick is ready for his second tour of Europe this year as he prepares to help Brighton Bears impress at home and abroad.

The 22-year-old from Hertfordshire signed for Bears on the eve of the new British League season after completing four years in the American collegiate system.

Not that Brighton was his first port of call when looking for a professional club.

He was close to joining lower division outfits in Spain and Greece, then considered an offer from the top club in Norway before putting his faith in Nick Nurse's coaching expertise.

Frederick believes Bears' chief Nurse is the man to help him develop from a college forward to a guard worthy of a place in a top European league.

So far, his BBL experience amounts to four games, 30 minutes of court time and eight points, including a fabulous baseline drive and dunk against Newcastle.

Now he is eyeing a decent contribution to both domestic and European campaigns as his basketball education continues.

He said: "I went to America and did that for four years, now I'm trying to do the pro thing.

"I went to a good camp in Treviso, Italy, then to a team in Spain but that didn't work out.

"Then I went to Alimos in Athens, but the team were thrown out of the league the day I was going to sign.

"I came home for a day and I was given the opportunity to play for the best team in Norway."

Asker Aliens may be riding high in their own country, but Frederick was not impressed by the standard of play.

He said: "I played in one tournament and I was doing whatever I wanted.

"I thought that wouldn't help me in the long term."

That was when Frederick's dad Cedric, a well known basketball agent, played a big role.

He had a word with Nurse and a chance soon opened up at Brighton.

Frederick junior said: "Nick said he would make me into a good two guard and I was sold on that.

"I've played as a four man but I'm quick, which is why I was doing well in Europe.

"I know I'm going to have to go down a position or two in the bigger leagues.

"When Nick said he wanted me as a two or three man I thought 'This is the place'.

"That's what I want to do, play in a top European league like Spain or Italy."

At 6ft 6ins, Frederick reckons he could cause match-up problems in the back court, though he admits he needs to start sinking jump shots as regularly on game night as he does on the practice court.

An average of 13 points and six boards per game with Division Two college California (Pennsylvania) last season was a decent return after a switch from top flight Morgan State in Baltimore.

He revealed: "The coach in Baltimore had a lot of faith in me as a freshman and a sophomore but we lost a lot of games.

"After playing there for two years I decided I wanted to win some games and be more of a factor.

"Under their regulations, if I had gone to another Division One college I would have had to sit out a year and I didn't want to do that so I went to one of the top Division Two teams and we only lost eight games in two years."

One top European website still has Frederick listed with his short-lived Spanish club Aracena whereas instead he already has one appearance in the Bears starting five to his name. That came on Sunday when Nurse decided to shake things up against Newcastle by also sending out Mike Brown and Andrew Alleyne from the off alongside regular starters Randy Duck and Kendrick Warren.

Frederick said: "I think he was trying to show his veterans 'There are other players who'll do stuff for me' and the other part was him saying 'I've got faith in you, Tom.'

"I messed up. I was a bit over eager and I got early fouls but I'm not too disappointed. I can see myself improving each day in practice."

Frederick and his colleagues face another double test this weekend against Chester in the league and Sheffield in the newly-formed BBL Cup.

Sheffield already look the team to beat this season while the Chester game should be a cracker with both teams desperate to avoid a second league defeat in quick succession.