Years of hard work have paid off for Didcot basketball star Jamie Ashwin after he was awarded a full scholarship to an American college.

The 6ft 8in 20-year-old now hopes to make a living from the sport that has become his passion, but he admits this was his last realistic chance of getting snapped up.

The Reading Rockets' power forward will start a two-year scholarship at Cochise College near Douglas, Arizona in August.

He will then spend a further two years at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) affiliated college - a common route into the pro game.

Ashwin said: "I am delighted. I've been trying for two years now to go out to college.

"But it's so hard unless you know people or have friends out there.

"I've had other colleges say they'll take me, there was one in Carolina.

"But until you get the letter, you are just waiting."

"If I didn't make it this year, the chances of getting out there were pretty slim.

"I would have been at least 25 by the time I came out of the system."

He added: "After these next four years, I'd like to go to Europe and play professionally somewhere."

The former St Birinus School pupil says he has improved by playing for Reading, who are in the EBL Conference.

It was a video of some his performances for the Rockets that first attracted the interest of Cochise College.

Ashwin joined Reading's under 18 squad three years ago, but was fast-tracked into the senior side.

He said: "Playing for a team like Reading has made me much stronger.

"I was only 15 when I started playing. I've had to cram in the equivalent of seven or eight years' training into about four to get here."

Ashwin will receive $11,000 a year to cover his living expenses in Arizona, which help him concentrate on his NCAA prospects.

He said: "You get get watched by major college coaches.

"Where I go depends on how well I perform. I'm hoping to go into Division 1 of the NCAA."

Making the college grade is particularly sweet for Ashwin.

He said: "I went to a basketball camp in New Jersey and I made the all-star team out of 300 or 400 kids.

"But I injured my elbow and had to sit on the bench."

Ashwin wants to be a PE teacher after his basketball career, but right now he is totally focussed on America.

At 6ft 8in tall with size 14 shoes, he towers over most people he meets, but on court in the USA he will hardly stand out.

He said: "We've got a 7ft guy in our team at Reading.

"When I get over to the USA, everyone will be taller and stronger."