BRITAIN'S big basketball prospect, Durham teenage giant Neil Fingleton, is preparing to take the next huge stride in his bid to play in the world's top league.

The 7ft 6in 19-year-old has returned to the USA, after a visit home to Gilesgate, to begin studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC), one of America's top basketball colleges.

Neil first left home three years ago to take up a place at high school in the USA arranged through Tony Hanson, his American coach at Teesside Mohawks National League team.

He recently graduated with a diploma from Holy Name High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, witnessed by his mother Christine, grandmother Edith and niece Ellie.

But it was on the basketball court that Neil made his mark, helping Holy Name to their High School championship crown, the C Mas title.

Neil had the pick of all the top universities to move on to, but eventually plumped for UNC, which is where basketball legend Michael Jordan honed his skills.

Neil hopes to immediately impress his new coach, Matt Docherty, and earn a starting place in the UNC team, even in his 'rookie' year.

Christine said Neil is on a four-year business course at UNC, but should he have the chance of being drafted into the leading professional league, the National Basketball Association (NBA), he would cut short his studies.

"We're not counting our chickens before they hatch, but the aim is to make it to the NBA, so he can make some money.

"If you get the chance to be drafted it's not something you pass up. But if it doesn't, he's still had a marvellous experience."

Christine hopes to fly out to watch Neil play for UNC when the US college season starts later in the year.