Bears' Canadian forward Dave Wahl has enjoyed the experience of life in Sussex so much he's planning to stay here at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old from Vancouver is looking to stay on so his wife Vanessa, one of Canada's top sprint hurdlers, can compete in athletics' meetings.

But Wahl would dearly love to be making another return trip later this year as a second year veteran of the BBL. Despite Bears' disappointing performances this season Wahl says he has thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of professional basketball.

Some informal discussions with owner Romek Kriwald have already taken place, but any decisions on next season's squad are still weeks away.

Kriwald indicated in the Sports Argus last week that he favoured a change of direction which would see more BBL veterans recruited rather than rookies from colleges on the other side of the Atlantic.

Where that leaves the likes of Wahl, Kevin Wallace and Demetric Reese remains to be seen.

But the big man from Ontario, who first took up the sport when he was six years old, would like to be part of a new-look team.

"I've talked a little bit with Romek and coach Dunning and I'd be interested in coming back because I can see that Bears have the potential to become a winning team," he said.

"I have a lot of respect for the coach. He has stuck by me and been very supportive when things haven't gone too well although I could say that about the rest of the guys as well.

"The potential is definitely there and I'd like to be a part of the club in the future."

Despite Bears on-court struggles, which have seen them win just four games ahead of tonight's home clash with Edinburgh Rocks, there is no doubt that Dunning has built a closely knit squad.

"We're almost like a family," admitted Wahl, "I think you'd find that the rest of the guys feel the same. That's why when we get everyone fit I still believe we can win quite a few games before the end of the season because the spirit has always been good.

"The play-offs might not be a realistic goal now, but a couple of wins back to back would make us feel a whole lot better. Once we do that we can then set ourselves new goals and there is nothing to stop us winning quite a few matches."

Wife Vanessa has even managed to make a Bears connection during training sessions with her new athletics club.

Steve King, who played in Bears' first ever match at the Brighton Centre back in the mid-1980s, is her coach at Harriers.

Despite suffering from illness, she finished ninth in the national indoor championships in Birmingham last month and could have claimed fifth spot had she equalled her personal best.

Dave added: "We're thinking about staying on for a few weeks after basketball is finished, perhaps until the end of May, so Vanessa can run a few outdoor meetings in this country. Then we'll head back to Canada for the rest of the outdoor season."