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TOP NOTCH: Ismaila Ngum has secured a place at Oxford after achieving top results in his A-Levels

A BASKETBALL star with skills on the court and in the classroom has proved he is a strong contender for Most Valuable Player after being accepted at Oxford University.

Ismaila Ngum, 18, has secured a place at the prestigious university to read Law at Lady Margaret Hall after achieving three As in his politics, law and sociology A-Levels.

He also scored a B grade in his French A-Level which he studied for independently.

The sportsman, who plays for Uxbridge College Basketball Academy Emperors team, said: “I’m just so relieved and happy to have got my grades and really excited about going to Oxford.”

“In college I studied from 10am until the library closed. It’s hard work but it’s worth it.”

In addition to his academic and sporting prowess, Ismaila, who has lived in Kenya and Senegal, was also a college student governor and represented the school in public speaking competitions.

At the Rotary Youth Speaks final he won the Best Speaker Award as part of a team of three who bowled judges over with their effort: Guns don’t kill people, Rappers do.

Ismaila, who lives in Uxbridge, added: “I got so much support from my teachers at Uxbridge College.

“I prefer college to sixth form because there’s more freedom, and that means it’s a good stepping stone between high school and university.

"You also get to meet a lot of different people as well which is good, as well there being plenty to do outside study. The public speaking has been useful for applying to university.”