A SIXTH form student from Meifod has won a scholarship to play college basketball in the USA.

Ryan Andrew, 18, will study at Southwestern College in the US state of Kansas this summer.

The Caereinion High School pupil sent a showreel video to around 200 colleges and Southwestern College invited him to trial out in Kansas at the end of March.

The Wales international says he’s “nervous but more excited” about playing basketball across the pond.

“I wanted to do this when I first started playing in year seven but then I thought it was a bit far-fetched,” said Ryan.

“At the beginning of sixth form I thought I might as well give it a go, I had nothing to lose. So, I applied and I’m glad I did it now.”

Ryan started playing basketball when he was 12 years old after attending a 5x60 camp in Llanfair Caereinion.

“One of the 5x60 coaches, Guy Evans who now coaches at a club out in America, had a club in Welshpool and invited a bunch of us to go.

“My brother already played there, so I went along, and it gradually took over from football.”

He has since played for clubs in Oswestry, the Rhondda, Wrexham and Chester.

For three years, the five-foot 10 athlete had the honour to play at an international level for Wales.

Ryan, an A Level student, decided to put basketball on hold at the beginning of sixth form to dedicate his time to school work and exams.

He will start his four-year psychology and criminal justice degree course in August.

But like every mum, his is a bit concerned about him flying to America: “My mum’s worried that I’m going to be homesick!”