A TEEN at a Walthamstow school is set for a busy summer, playing basketball for England and sweating on his exam results at the same time.

Sixteen-year-old Simeon Esprit is currently juggling his GCSE studies with a passion for basketball which is beginning to take him places.

He recently went to Denmark with the rest of the national under-16s squad for a two game tour.

Simeon scored 20 points for the visitors.

Now, he is back taking his exams at Rush Croft school, in Rushcroft Road, where he is a pupil.

The pressure is on, but Simeon says he is taking everything in his stride.

“I used to be nervous, but I have increased my confidence by working hard on my game,” he said. “I just look to work hard and better myself. It’s good that I’m able to represent England at my age.”

Luckily for him, he does not need to pick one activity over the other at Rush Croft.

That is because the comprehensive school runs a scheme which lets pupils play basketball in the mornings, before registration.

It was there Simeon first discovered his talent, and it is where he develops it today as a guard in local side, Eastside Eagles.

England’s U16 head coach says the youngster has got nature on his side too, as well as nurture.

Simon Fisher said: “In basketball terms he’s got the frame for the game. Simeon has physical assets. He’s tall and athletic. He also works hard on his understanding of how to play the game.

“The work ethic Simeon showed when he came into the squad has made him a great asset.”

Sean Reed is another person who has played a role in Simeon’s journey so far. He is a P.E teacher at the school, which has sports college status, and also works with Mr Fisher for England basketball.

He has experience of Simeon on the court too, as the pair faced off against each other in a teachers versus pupils match.

“He is a handful. I had one of the younger player’s mark him,” recalled Mr Reed.

He praised the youngster’s work-ethic. “I see lots of young, promising players but very few of them have the physicality and the nous required. A lot of kids lack the fundamental principles of basketball because they start playing so late. This boy is training every morning before lessons. That’s dedication.”

Now, Simeon can get ready to play for England at the European Championships in Porto, Portugal, this August.

Afterwards he will get his GCSE results and then maybe the chance to study in America and chase his dream of playing in the NBA.

But right now, it is all about Portugal.

“I believe we have a chance,” he said. “We are a small team compared to others, but we’ve worked hard.”