Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Venson

At 17, Nicholas Venson, standing at 6'8", has his head properly screwed on.

Venson, a former Penwood High School student, said that his ultimate goal is to play in the United States of America's (USA) National Basketball Association (NBA) league, the top basketball competition in the world.

"I want to play in the NBA, that's my goal in my life," a confident Venson said.

He added that Cleveland Cavaliers is his team of choice as he admires the talent and determination of the team's leader, Lebron James.

The tough inner-city community of Waterhouse hasn't dented the aspirations of this young man. If anything, it has actually made him stronger.

"Definitely, growing up in that community has enabled me to want to strive to allow me and my family to be better off in life," Venson told The Gleaner.

Venson was drafted to St. George's Slayers by the coach, Lamar Dixon, while walking down a street in Kingston one day.

Early success

"I first saw him play for Waterhouse division one basketball team and he really looked impressive, both with hi and his ball-handling skills," Dixon told The Gleaner.

"The second time I saw him he was walking down the street. I just asked him .... 'a young man with you what are you doing about it' and he said 'nothing'. I encouraged him to go for the Star Search Camp at G.C. Foster College and he was successful in his quest to get a scholarship," Dixon added.

"The basketball scouts liked him (Nicholas) and they offered him a scholarship to Genesis I School in Mississippi, USA," Nina Dixon, wife of the coach said.

She added: "Nick has the potential to be the next Samardo Samuels."

Samuels, a Jamaican, is ranked as one of the best high school prodigies in America.

"For a 'big man' (height-wise), Nick is a great ball-handler and can play any position on the court," Mrs. Dixon continued.

Coach Dixon said he feels Nicholas has the potential to go far in the sport.

"He is a very promising young man, he's very disciplined. It's going to take a lot of hard work, both on the basketball court and in the classroom, but I have faith in him that he can make it," Dixon expressed.

The current Slayers coach thinks that Venson's heart is in the right place.

"He wants to get a good education so he can help his mother out, that's what he told me and I think he's sincere," Dixon noted.

Nicholas, left the island at the end of September and have settled in well at his new school.