Two London-born basketball stars will be hoping to make their mark on one of America’s most popular sporting events when ‘March Madness’ kicks off this week.
The NCAA Tournament, used to decide the national college championship, is a 68-team knockout competition held in March and April every year, and is watched by millions around the world.
Six-foot-eleven-inch Kavell Bigby-Williams, born in Stratford, appears to be the best chance of British success, looking to end his college career with a national championship for the third seeded Louisiana State University.
The 23-year-old Arsenal fan grew up in London before moving to the US to play college basketball, and reached the Final Four of March Madness two years ago with the Oregon Ducks, before transferring to LSU for his senior year.
The other British representation comes from former Harrow High School student Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, who helped Bradley University to a surprise title win in the Missouri Valley Conference to secure qualification for this tournament.
The former Great Britain U20 star starts his campaign on Thursday evening, looking for a huge upset win over Michigan State, while Bigby-Williams and LSU face Yale on the same afternoon.
Away from the British interest, all eyes will be on Duke and their superstar Zion Williamson, considered the most exciting college prospect in a generation and favourite to be the first pick at this year’s NBA draft.
ESPN Player will bring fans in Europe, Middle East and Africa every game of March Madness live & on-demand, plus three simulcast channels direct from the US, and a huge catalogue of original content including ESPN Films, documentaries, series, archive content.
