The London-born player who began his career in Hackney, an London Host Borough, hopes to make his first appearance at the O2 in September when Britain resume their campaign to qualify for the 2012 Olympics by taking on the Czech Republic.

 

Mensah-Bonsu had hoped to be alongside the Chicago Bulls Luol Deng for last year's round of matches but a contract dispute with Dallas Mavericks kept him on the sidelines.

 

But now, playing in Spain for CB Granada, he is eligible and eager.

 

In an interview broadcast on BBC London today, Mensah-Bopu said: "We know what our level is and we know what we can do.

 

"I think it looks pretty positive for us even though the odds are against us for being a fairly new team.

 

"I found out that we have to prove to the Olympic Committee that we have a team that will be able to compete.

 

"I think it's kind of unfair that we have to qualify for a tournament even though we're hosting it.

 

"You're not going to hear any complaints from me or any of the other players.

 

"We're just going to go out there and just show everybody that we're going to qualify regardless whether they're going to let us in automatically or we have to go and take it."

 

Like for Deng, the prospect of playing at the O2, which is the proposed venue for the basketball tournament during the 2012 Olympics, is an exciting one for Mensah-Bopu.

 

He said: "When I found out we were playing at the O2 Arena, especially my first game in London, it was a big deal to me.

 

"You grow up wanting to represent your country and my birthday is the next day so if we beat them that would be a great birthday present."

 

The 6 feet 9 inch 24-year-old star also intends to return to the NBA this year.

 

He said: "Things are looking pretty positive as far as that's concerned.

 

"A couple of try-outs here and there and God willing I'll be able to get back into the NBA."