GBR - Michael Jordan selects young Brit for New York camp

LONDON (Jordan Classic Camp) - The legendary Michael Jordan made a surprise appearance in Brixton on Thursday and chose a London youngster to attend his youth training camp in New York.

Jordan made his entrance at half-time during the All Star Final of the Jordan Classic Camp at Brixton Recreation Centre to the surprise and delight of those taking part.

After making a short speech, he watched the second half before selecting Kenroy Woods, a 16-year-old from Harrow, as the MVP - a honour which earns him a place at the US Jordan All American Classic in April.

Woods played a starring role as his team recorded a 102-65 win, and Jordan - back at the Brixton venue for the first time in 20 years - was impressed with the standard of play that he saw.

"It's a lot better than the last time I was here," he said.

"I think basketball is making some progression here in the UK. They brought a lot of energy, I think they saw it as an opportunity to prove themselves and they played hard.

"You could tell they were a little nervous but they played well."

When Jordan announced his choice of Woods as the winner, it took the youngster some time to get up off the bench and make his way on to the court.

"When he said `Number eight', I had to look down at my jersey and check it," Woods said.

"I'm a little flabbergasted."

While Jordan's arrival was a surprise to most in the hall, Woods admitted that some of the players had figured out what was going on and had half an eye on the door waiting for him to appear.

"We knew, but I didn't know what to expect," Woods said.

"Seeing him was unbelievable. It's like, this is what I do, and he was the best player there ever was."

Woods, who attends Harrow High School, took up the game five years ago and now plays for West London. But his ambitions stretch to a professional career.

"I'd like to go to college, (in the United States) and then the NBA or maybe Europe," he said. "But going to New York next year...I can't believe it."

Jordan's visit to Brixton is part of a nine-day European tour that will see him visit camps in Paris, Hamburg, Berlin, Barcelona and Milan. An MVP from each camp will then go forward to the event in New York.

Jordan also spoke about Britain's most famous NBA player, Chicago Bull Luol Deng.

Deng, recently naturalised as a Briton, also played in Brixton.

"He is definitely an up-and-coming player," Jordan said.

"He's making a name for himself by playing hard and he's great motivation for these kids."

Deng played at Duke University, the arch rivals of North Carolina - Jordan's alma mater.

"He had a great educator (Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski) at Duke, but I don't talk about Duke too much," Jordan joked.

From Ian Parker, PA Sport, London Exclusively for FIBA