Chris Pearce is relishing the chance to represent Wales on the international stage again.
Pearce has spent the past two seasons with Cheshire Phoenix and heads out to Gibraltar this week for the FIBA European Championship of the Small Countries.
Pearce is a key member of the Wales squad that will come up against Malta and Scotland in the group stage. Although born in Cumbria, the 25-year-old qualifies for Wales through his father and has been with the squad since 2008.
Pearce said: “I’ve played in two of these tournaments and we finished fifth in San Marino in 2012, which was good.
“Malta have got a strong team and have a guy who’s 7ft 6ins and he can really dominate. Scotland are strong too so we are in the tough group and it’s going to be hard, but we’ve got a chance for sure.”
Barrow-born Pearce made his BBL bow for Durham Wildcats before moving to the Northgate Arena in 2012. His contribution off the bench in three spells saw him become a popular figure with the Nix faithful.
Pearce, 25, has not signed for a club for the 2014-15 season and hopes the tournament will put him in the shop window.
“This tournament is a bit of a crossroads for me,” he said.
“I came to the Nix in January and made this tournament my major goal for the season. Once everything is done, I’ll weigh it up and see where I go next.
“I work full-time so that can make it difficult with training, but we’ll see.
“I really enjoyed my time at the Nix and the fans stayed with us through thick and thin. The fans are always positive and that gives you a big lift on the court. I’ve got no doubts that the Nix are going to be one of the top teams in the BBL next season.”
Total Gymnastics, who run classes at the Northgate Arena, are supporting Pearce’s trip to Gibraltar and the shooting guard hopes to put his BBL experience to good use.
He said: “The basketball programme in Wales doesn’t get any funding but we’ve all been down to the Valleys for seven weekends to train.
“It’s a real good group and quite a young team and we all get on so that helps a lot, too.
“We’ve got four guys who’ve played in the BBL and the rest are in the EBL, but I think one or two of them will be in the BBL next season.”
Pearce was hoping his former Nix team-mate Alan Duppa would be in the Wales squad but the Holywell-based forward has had to withdraw.
Pearce said: “It’s a real shame because he was really looking forward to being part of the squad but, unfortunately, he can’t commit.”
