Teenage basketball prodigy and former Crusaders star Ryan Richards could be set to sign for a team in the NBA this month.

Richards, from Sittingbourne, turned 19 in April. He began his career at 13 with the Crusaders – who now play at Medway Park – before moving to Spain in 2006 to join Gran Canaria’s academy.

Despite failing to settle during two amateur seasons in Spain and a pro-season in the Belgian league, Richards split last season between Gran Canaria and Swiss side BBC Monthey.

He played six games before dislocating his shoulder in February, prematurely ending his season.

He averaged just over 20 minutes of action, scoring 13.3 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds a game while shooting 56 percent from the field and 91.3 percent from the free-throw line.

The NBA Draft is watched by millions around the world with the best players from American universities and international teams being chosen by the elite US clubs.

Richards was one of just 54 players invited to the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Chicago last month. He used the opportunity to showcase his talents in front of team scouts ahead of the draft on June 24.

His official stats taken at the camp listed him at 6ft 11in tall, weighing 230lb, equipped with a 7ft 1in wingspan and a 9ft 2in standing reach - figures which could make him a useful presence in the game and the third tallest player in the draft.

The former England under-18 player’s impressive performances led to him receiving offers to work out alongside other draft hopefuls at a series of teams including the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

On Monday he worked out with the New York Knicks and he is also expected to visit the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks before the draft.

Richards said: "Playing in the NBA – it’s my goal in life, I’m eligible and I’m ready to do it – I want to give it a shot."

Experts have named Richards as one of the top five international prospects in the draft, but Richards insisted if he is chosen by a team then he wants to stay in the States, even if it means joining a team affiliate in the Developmental League – the equivalent of a reserve team.

He said: "I’ve made it pretty clear that if I do get drafted, I want to stay with the team whether I play up-and-down in the D-League or with the team.

"If they want to pick me and send me back to Europe, I’d rather withdraw my name then come back next year."