A teenage basketball player from east London hopes to follow in the footsteps of his heroes after winning a scholarship to a top US university.
Aaron Badibo, 19, is set to leave his local Hackney New City College team for Wyoming where he is due to enrol at Sheridan College.
The full scholarship — worth £20,000 a year — will see him compete in the first division of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
He said he hopes to showcase his talents and win a contract in the NBA basketball league.
He said: “I always dreamed about leaving the country to play basketball ... I won’t stop trying to better myself and I will work hard every day to make sure I get where I am supposed to be.”
Aaron, from Hoxton, is one of 12 overseas athletes offered a place at Sheridan, where he will read General Studies and play wing. He will be vying for a place in college team the Generals and aims to impress NBA scouts.
He wants to emulate his idol Luol Deng, a British NBA star from Brixton, who has played for the Great Britain national team.
