FORMER Turton High School pupil Jamie Glen has been given the chance to make his name as a top basketball star by Newcastle Eagles.

England Under-18 international guard Glen, one of the game’s brightest prospects, has benefitted from the Eagles’ policy of nurturing young talent instead of using a squad full of overseas players.

Like many young players, Glen was short of options upon graduating from the England u18 programme, with his home club Manchester not fielding a team in the BBL and the player himself not wishing to go abroad.

Glen produced a mature and impressive debut against Team USA Select last week and looked the part in terms of his ball-handling and attitude on the court.

He said: “I am pleased to be in Newcastle and it’s great that I have got the opportunity to work at a good club with some great players.

“I am hoping that I can be here for a few years and establish myself in the team. I know it will be difficult, but it’s a great feeling to be out there “I just want to see how many minutes I can get as I know there are 13 or 14 of us for just 12 spots.

“I am the youngest player in the team and I suppose that all I have to do is play hard and learn to play bigger and stronger than I ever have before.”