Sedale Hanson-Young believes he is twice the player he was when he joined Cheshire Phoenix in the summer.
The 19-year-old England international has gone from playing short minutes off the bench at the start of the season to being a key cog in the Nix roster in recent weeks, delivering on his reputation when he joined with a series of hugely impressive displays.
Having arrived at the Cheshire Oaks Arena in the summer from NBL Division Four basketball with Team Birmingham, point guard Hanson-Young has improved remarkably and become one of the shining lights for head coach John Lavery's men, more than holding his own against seasoned professionals in the BBL.
His late three-pointer at Leeds Force in the BBL Trophy a week ago helped his side progress in the competition and he followed up that display with a mature and disciplined performance in the win over Worcester Wolves on Sunday where, with the Nix struggling with a threadbare squad, he played almost the entire contest.
"We have had injuries and everytthing and I knew that I needed to step up and make my mark and it's been a confidence boost for me in these last few games," said Hanson-Young, who hails from Birmingham.
"At the start of the season I didn't know what to expect, really. I just wanted to make the most of being around a professional team in the BBL and try and learn from some of these experienced guys on my team.
"I think I've come a long, long way since I arrived and I feel like twice the player I was when I came here. I feel confident I can hold my own in this league and I'm getting the physical side of things right now, which was my biggest problem when I arrived."
Hanson-Young has been the only recognised point guard on the Nix's roster since the departure of Jorge Ebanks in November, but the teenager now has some competition for the spot with the arrival of 24-year-old American guard Quincy Taylor.
But Hanson-Young is relishing the chance to learn from Taylor and continue his growth with the Phoenix - and aid his chances of playing college basketball in America next year.
"It's great that Quincy is coming in now, he'll be able to help me and the team a lot and it'll be great to pick up tips from him," said Hanson-Young.
"The squad have been great with me this season. All the senior pros know what it's like to be my age and they have all helped me. David (Aliu), especially, has been brilliant and helped me a lot.
"I want to go and play my college basketball in America. That's always been my aim. Hopefully when I get my highlights out there to scouts and they see that I'm making an impact in a professional league I will get some interest. Hopefully when the end of this season comes I'll have some offers."
And Hanson-Young, whose father Nigel has become a part of the Phoenix coaching staff of late, believes that the recent victories in both the league and Trophy can spur the Nix on to a strong second half of the season.
"We never ever talk about losing games, all we think about is winning and we feel we are capable of winning every game we play," he said.
"We have a determined and talented group and I think we can push on now. We want to finish well and get a good play-off spot if we can. We know we are good enough.
"All we want to do is do well for the fans. They are brilliant with us and we want to give them something to cheer about."
