WILTSHIRE teenager Alex Williams is cock-a-hoop after an international call-up handed his prospects of a future in basketball an almighty boost.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Milton Lilbourne, is set to pull on his country’s jersey later this year after earning a spot on the England New Horizons National Development Programme - the England U17 squad.

Williams, a former pupil at Pewsey prep school St Francis, has represented the South West region for around four years and impressed enough to earn his England selection at a regional development tournament in Nottingham last month.

The 6ft 4in centre grew up trying his hand at a host of different sports but began playing basketball at St John’s in Marlborough, where he is currently a sixth form student.

As well as representing his school, Williams plays U18 basketball for Cirencester-based Gloster Jets whilst also featuring alongside his father Rob for Swindon side Cavaliers and with the prospect of higher education looming, the Wiltshire youngster is hoping to follow a path that will allow to develop on the court.

“I’d love to try and go down the route of going to America to play but if I can’t do that, it would be great to go and study somewhere like Loughborough (University), which is one of the best places for basketball in this country,” said Williams, whose first England training camp will take place in December.

“My parents are sporty and my mum (Lis) grew up doing discus and all sorts of other sports. I played football for Pewsey Vale, rugby for Marlborough and cricket for Burbage and Wiltshire.

“But when I started secondary school, I started playing basketball and that became my sport. I started playing for the South West through school and this year wasn’t my first time at one of these regional tournaments.

“A few people said to me that I was good enough to get in the England team before but now it’s happened and I need to push on from here.”

Williams isn’t the only St John’s pupil celebrating an international call-up - Ruth Bentley and Tyler Watson have earned places on the U17 Women’s development programme.