WORCESTER Wolves forward Ty Shaw is off Down Under after being signed up by the Cockburn Cougars.

Six foot eight Shaw has agreed a deal with the Perth outfit, who play at a higher level than Wolves, but will not be joining them until the England Basketball League season is over.

Wolves also have an option to bring the American back to the Faithful City when the Australian season finishes in September.

But University College Worcester coaches have Shaw at their disposal for the EBL Division One run-in and a play-off programme that could run until the end of April if Wolves are successful.

Shaw was named player-of-the-year following Wolves' promotion from Division Two last season and has scored a mammoth 429 points in 25 games this season.

Director of basketball Mick Donovan said: "They want him to play in April but we have agreed to release him when the play-offs finish, so he will miss four or five games for them. We think it's a good experience for him."

He believes Shaw's physical presence will stand him in good stead in Australia.

"They have looked at his stats on the England Basketball website," Donovan added. "Because he's tall, he can match up against the big guys. He's too quick for big men and he's too big for smaller guys. He's got pace and co-ordination for a big guy."

Shaw said: "I am pretty excited. Australian basketball is a pretty good standard. Their top level is just under NBA.

"I am definitely looking forward to it and proving myself over there."

Meanwhile, UCW's team have been drawn at Birmingham in the last 16 of the British Championships on Wednesday.