HUNTINGDON basketball player Greg Richards has hit the big time after joining British Basketball League club Glasgow Rocks.

Richards, 26, who joined the Glasgow club from Huntingdon Hawks took a chance and travelled up to Scotland when he discovered the club was holding open trials.

Then, last week, he received a call from the club offering him a development contract.

Richard said: “I am over the moon. I am signing to join the elite development squad but will be training everyday with the pro team – and I will have the chance to play for them at some point this season.

“My role also involves visiting local schools and youth clubs promoting basketball.

“To get the chance at this level is amazing for me.

“It will take a lot of hard work at commitment but I know if I put in the work I will get the chance to play.”

Richards’ former Huntingdon Hawks coach Rob Knapper said: “This is amazing for Greg and the club.

“Greg has been one of the better players at the club for a long time and always gave his best.

“Just because you play for a local league club does not mean that you can aim to play at a higher level.”

Meanwhile, the Hawks played their first pre-season friendly last Wednesday (September 7).

Greg Baxter, Marek Marciniak, Darnell Haughton, Nick Terril and Ryan Mills started the game against the Bedford Bulls second team at the Hawks Nest, St Peters School, Huntingdon.

The Hawks started well and were leading 21-13 by the end of the first quarter with Haughton getting eight of the points.

However, by half time the Bulls had dragged themselves back into the game and were trailing by just two points at 27-25.

In the third quarter the Bulls pulled away after some sloppy play from the Hawks and the visitors began the last quarter with a 47-38 lead.

But the game swung back in Huntingdon’s favour and with just 38 seconds remaining the match was tied at 58-58.

Baxter secured the Hawks their win netting one of his two late free throws.

Adrian Moult, the team’s coach, said: “This was our first friendly of the season and it allowed me to see what the players could do.

“We will take what have learned and bring it into the next sessions and games. “Overall it was a not a great game of basketball but we got the right result.

“It is going to be a long season and we will get better.”