MAURICE Walker believes his chemistry with childhood friend and team-mate Ashton Khan has been key to his sparkling form at Worcester Wolves.

The explosive power forward has been a big coup for Wolves since he joined in November as he has reeled off a string of impressive showings in the British Basketball League.

And the 25-year-old admitted Khan helped to give him “a little extra” on court due to their past experience of playing together.

Walker said he first met the point guard when aged 11 and quickly struck up a friendship at Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, Canada.

They also linked up at Scarborough Blues, Team Ontario, Team Canada, Brewster Academy, CIA Bounce and Grassroots before going separate ways in their basketball careers.

However, Walker, who attended the University of Minnesota, said they had always stayed in touch and had dreams of one day reuniting on the professional circuit.

“As soon as I met him he just had that personality which was easy to latch on to so we have been really good friends since,” he said.

“I have kept in touch with him even when I was overseas. He actually came to my college graduation. That is how close we are.”

While Khan plied his trade at Tiffin College in USA before joining Wolves in the summer of 2015, Walker has played in Cyprus for Keravnos and in Italy’s Serie A for VL Pesaro. He signed for Latvian team Valmiera at the beginning of this season and admitted he “never expected” to move to England.

But when Khan got in contact to say Wolves were in need of someone of his stature Walker jumped at the chance to make the switch to Worcester.

“To be honest I didn’t even think it was a possibility until a couple of days before I came to Wolves,” he said.

“I started my career in Italy, moved to Cyprus and then Latvia so I never expected to come here.

“To play in the same team as Ashton again just seemed far-fetched but once I spoke to (head coach) Paul James and my agent they just made it happen.”

Since his arrival at the University of Worcester Arena Walker has excelled in Britain’s top flight, scoring 32 points and making 11 rebounds on his debut against Manchester Giants.

Walker says he has relished the “welcoming” environment at Wolves and reckons Khan has helped boost his displays.

“Ashton has the most confidence in me and I have the most confidence in him so I think we play well together,” he said.

“Even if I am not playing well he believes in me and I feed off that. We both want to see each other succeed and give that little extra effort in matches.

“It’s good to be on the same court together, just like the old days."

Wolves return to BBL action on Friday when they host Leeds Force (7.30pm).