When Scott Devine stepped on to the court for Older & Fatter for the first time in the winter league he became the tallest player ever to compete in domestic competition on the Island.

And the giant Policeman is hoping to transfer his talents into the national side and help them achieve new heights in international competition.

Although the first to admit he is a little out of shape, the seven-footer is working hard at the gym to redress that - and is hoping his skills can take him to next year's Island Games.

The sport's authorities are interested even though they have yet to see him at his best.

“I think it will be interesting to see what happens,” national team coach Tim Trott told The Royal Gazette.

“We have never had a player of that height before. The extra presence and arm span he has would be sure to make a difference.

“When we took part in the Island Games (last year) we were pretty much the same size as most of the other teams, but the teams who were ahead of us, Rhodes and the Cayman Islands, had some big lads.

“But with extra height I think we could have challenged them.

“We will be having trials once the winter league is out the way and we would like to see Scott come down and then we will see.

“But one thing is for sure - you can't coach height.”

The tallest player in the national side at the moment is Gary Todd, who stands at 6ft 6ins, while Levar Powell, who plays in the domestic league, is equally as tall.

The main focus for Trott's men is next year's Island Games, to be held in Shetland, although the basketball contingent may be on the medal trail a few hundred miles away.

Due to the lack of facilities on the host island, three sports - basketball, triathlon and tennis - will have to be staged elsewhere.

Plans are underway for a simultaneous tournament to be held in Gibraltar, with the Bermudian participants leaving the Island at the same time as their team-mates but then taking different connections when they get to London.

As well as the Island Games, the basketball team will also be looking to take part in tournaments in North America with games either against college or club sides already in the pipeline.

National team captain Dale Jackson also told The Royal Gazette that Devine, a fellow policeman, could make a difference to the side.

“He is a big lad with good hands,” said Jackson.

“I think if he can get in shape his extra height could make a lot of difference to us. Regionally I think only Cayman have a player anywhere near his size and he could be a big asset. We will have to see how he gets on in the league.”

And Devine has also been given the seal of approval by his former coach back in Scotland.

Iain MacLean, of the St Mirren side that Devine played with for a number of years, believes if the 30-year-old can get himself in shape, he will be a force to be reckoned with on any basketball court.

“He was a great servant to the club, for more years than I was there,” said MacLean, whose side are consistent top three finishers in the Scottish basketball league.

“It is a shame that because of injuries and the demands of his job, Scott didn't play as many games as he would have liked.

“Because of his attitude and his size, he was a big asset to the club.

“He needs to do some work physically, but there is no doubt that he is talented and I think he could probably do a lot out in Bermuda if he gets a chance.

“He has a lot of physical presence, he has great hands and is a good passer for such a big guy.”

But Devine is keeping his feet on the ground when it comes to representing his new home.

“I have seen the standard here and it is pretty high,” he said.

“There is no way I could just walk into this team. I am going to work hard in the gym, get myself into shape. I hope to get invited down to national team trials and then we will see what happens.”