While Norfolk-raised Patrick Manifold's location may have changed over the years his drive to succeed hasn't.

The 6ft 7in giant – now a professional in basketball's equivalent of the Premier League with Glasgow Rocks – grew up in Great Yarmouth, went to high school in Norwich, earned his spurs with King's Lynn's Fury and became a student star in America before he moved to Scotland. But one thing that has remained constant throughout is his incredible ability to motivate himself.

Manifold, who also bagged a business degree during his four-year stint at the University of Maine, said: 'I'm not going to lie, it was very difficult.

'When we're travelling we'd sometimes go away for a week at a time. If we missed stuff that was our fault. If we missed a week, perhaps for a road trip, we had to make up all that work.

'I'd say one of the biggest improvements in me as a person was my time management. Every 30 minutes of my day was accounted for. If I wanted to be mediocre in both (studies and basketball) I could have done that but I have dreams and goals for myself and that was both academically and on the basketball court as well. If I wanted to be the best I could in both I had to really sacrifice a lot, but that was something I was willing to do.'

The 27-year-old racked up a host of honours on and off the court during his time across the Atlantic ahead of him landing a pro deal last year. And Manifold admits all that hard work has been worth it.

'I am living my dream and I'm very grateful for the opportunity,' said the author (of 'Change Your Life - Learn the Secrets of Self-Disciple'), professional speaker and brainchild behind 'Manifold Motivation' – an increaingly popular scheme which is trying to help inspire others.

'I've been doing this (basketball) for free for 10 years so it's great to get to a level to get good enough that people pay you to play the sport you love.'

- 'Fury's still the place to learn'

The 27-year-old's rise to basketball stardom began to reach new heights when he played for King's Lynn Fury.

Having been noticed by coach James Bamfield after finishing school, Manifold played for the College of West Anglia's academy before progressing to the outfit's senior side. After one successful campaign in England's top-flight (EBL Division One), the down-to-earth professional performed well enough to achieve his dream of playing the sport in America.

Bamfield said: 'Had I not gone to the Fury I could have taken a very different route in life. So I'm grateful, firstly for the opportunity to go and play there and I'm also grateful for James' personal leadership – we still talk to this day.

'He's a very, very intelligent basketball player and coach and I'm really happy for all the kids that are in King's Lynn that get to learn under him. Because really there's nowhere else in Norfolk at least, nor perhaps East Anglia, that you can get that kind of coaching.

'If you can get yourself to King's Lynn then you're definitely going to improve as a basketball player, that's a fact.'

Fury, now called CWA Fury, currently compete in National League Division Four (South East).

* Visit our website www.edp24.co.uk/wnsp to hear more on this week's West Norfolk Sports Podcast.