Lovedale was born in Benin City but raised in Manchester where he went to Loretto College and learned the game with the Manchester Magic.

 

The 23-year-old is currently playing for the Davidson Wildcats in North Carolina where he averaging 12.8 points a game this season.

 

Chris Finch, Britain's coach, last year spoke enthusiastically about the abilities of Lovedale.

 

The politicial science student said: “Coach Finch was actually talking to coach [Bob] McKillop [of the Davidson WIldcats] and talked about looking into my status and trying to get me onto the British national team for the 2012 Olympics.

 

“That’s something I’m really hoping comes through.

 

"That’s actually where I grew as a basketball player and that’s were I was scouted.  

 

"I used a lot of resources there to become who I am today so that would be a dream come true for me if I could play for them.”

 

Finch has conducted a woldwide search for top-class players who are eligible to play for Britian.

 

He has already recruited Chicago Bulls superstar Luol Deng and is hopeful his team-mate Ben Gordon will also play for Britain at the European Championships in Poland later this year, their first appearance at their level since 1981.

 

As hosts Britain should automatically qualify for London 2012, but the world governing body FIBA are insisting that they demonstrate they are worthy of the place.