THREE former University of Worcester students have linked up with the Wales national basketball squad for a major tournament this week.

Sam Roberts, who has just finished his degree, and graduates Ben Potts and Damian Edwards have been selected for the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) European Championship for Small Countries in Moldova from today.

Roberts and Edwards play in the guard position with Potts as a power forward in the 12-strong team.

Roberts, of Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, has just finished a three-year course in sports studies and this will be his first time in the men’s side.

The 20-year-old, who developed his love of basketball from the age of 14, played in the university’s second team in the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) League and for Worcester Wolves' National League Division Two side.

He has played in the under 16 and under 18 Welsh teams.

Roberts said: “We have to stay focused. There are some tough teams going like Andorra and Armenia. We’ll just hopefully give it our best.”

Potts, 31, of Worcester, who grew up in Wrexham, north Wales, studied at the university for more than six years.

He first took a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification, which gave him the qualifications needed to go on to a degree in sports coaching science.

Potts played for the university’s basketball first team, helping them win the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) Championship five years in a row and played for the Wolves professional side for seven years.

He said the university had helped hone his skills by bringing in experienced American players as coaches for the university team.

Now working as a personal trainer and tutor, Potts continues to play for Worcester Bears in the West Midlands League.

He has been representing Wales for 15 years.

Edwards, 26, of Harrow, London, played for the university first team, the Wolves team for three years and for Wales since he was 22.

Now a teacher, he did a joint honours degree in sports coaching science and physical education.

The tournament in Moldova runs until Sunday and the Welsh team play their first game of the championships in Chisinau against Andorra today.

As part of Group B, they also face Armenia and Moldova.

Teams need to finish in the top two places to give them the chance to compete in the semi-finals.

Alex Radu, senior lecturer in sports coaching basketball at the university and assistant coach for Wolves, was appointed the assistant coach of the Wales squad.