Brown hoping to keep starting spot

But despite an excellent start, the challenge for the 20-year-old is now to maintain that starting place, by continuing his good run of form with solid contributions at both ends of the court.

For many players a test like this would not be one they would relish but Brown is different.

He said: “I remained determined and focused to improve my game and tried to get on the court for two hours every day, if not twice a day,”

“Having spent the previous year as an apprentice gaining my personal training, level three qualification, I made the decision to take the gym and my nutrition seriously during this off-season and made changes to my body.”

Brown’s off-season creation has paid dividends and he has been one of the main options, offensively, while defensively, he is hard-working and tenacious.

A lot of the improvements have been down to his summer regime but also the support and motivation of his parents and girlfriend, which has kept Brown inspired.

He continued: “My parents are my role models.

“They inspire me to do the best I can both on and off the court.

“The support I have received from them, both past and present, is incomparable, whether it be driving me to all my practices and games as a junior or making every home game and as many away games as possible.

“I owe a lot to my parents and I am eternally grateful for the dedication they have shown me and continue to do so.

“This includes the rest of my family, who are at every home game and my girlfriend, who has been at every game this season and spurs me on to be ambitious.”

Since Brown broke out with Thunder’s under-16 side, he has gone from strength-to-strength.

Under Hildreth at under-17 level, Brown scooped the most improved player award and when Thunder moved to BHASVIC, he claimed most valuable player honours with the under-18s.

Brown said: “Having been my coach and mentor since I was 17 years old, Daniel understands my personal goals and ambitions which is a great help for me and the team.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.