Basketball player chases a dream

A BASKETBALL player has got a shot at achieving his hoop dream, winning a prized sports scholarship to the USA.

Patrick Manifold (pictured) is heading Stateside in January to start the four-year scholarship at Erskine College in South Carolina, writes Mile Jermy.

It is a long way from his home town of Gorleston for the 21-year-old, whose ultimate goal is to play professional basketball in the NBA.

Manifold, who stands at 6ft 8in, has played for King's Lynn Fury for the last five years in National League Division One, the second highest in the country.

Now he is getting set for a whole new ball game in the States playing in a 2,000-seat stadium in the hugely-competitive American college league.

“I was jubilant when I heard the news, could not believe it, to go and play in the home of basketball will be amazing and is something I had always dreamed of,” said Manifold. “The facilities there are superb, with therapy pools and massage treatments.”

“My dream is to play in the NBA and I expect to play professionally - if not in the States, at least in Italy or Spain where basketball is very popular.”

Manifold learnt he had been selected for the prestigious scholarship after putting together a website with video clips of his performances and career statistics.

He was spotted playing by a former Erskine College student who recommended him for a scholarship.

The current player of the season for King's Lynn Fury, Manifold only started playing basketball when he was a pupil at Notre Dame High School in Norwich.

“For the last couple of years I have been working out really hard in the gym and must have done about 15,000 jump shots in training,” said Manifold.

“My family have been tremendously supportive and I could not have achieved what I have done without their encouragement.”