A LEYTON sports centre is to host part of a UK-wide search for basketball talent.

Held on August 2 between 10am and 8pm, the 'Midday Madness' tournament invites players to compete at the Score Centre in Leyton for a place in the regional finals.

The event will also feature music and other entertainment across ten venues around the country.

The qualifying final will then be held in Nottingham on August 21 as part of 'Midnight Madness', beginning at 6pm and ending at 6am.

Players who make it through this stage will then go on to a 'boot camp' round in London before the 'Midnight Madness' final.

They will have to impress American basketball star LeBron James to make it through to the next round and ten winners will receive a slot on the 'All-GB' team.

Simon Wainwright, of Nike, which sponsors the talent search, said: “Midnight Madness is the UK’s toughest basketball tournament and the chance to compete against the country’s top ballers through the night makes it even more mentally and physically challenging.

“If last year’s competition is anything to go by the players should be up for it, but they are really going to have to raise their game if they want to impress LeBron James and earn the crown.”

Visit midnight-madness.com for further information.