Indoor veteran David Bascome is delighted for compatriot and Rookie of the Year John Barry Nusum.

Bascome, whose defending champions Baltimore Blast failed even to make the Major Indoor Soccer League play-offs, predicted the international striker would have no problem making the transition to the shortened format of the game and admits to being “very excited” about the 23-year-old's progress.

“I'm delighted for him and I'm very excited for him,” said Bascome following this week's announcement that the Philadelphia KiXX's striker, pictured, had picked up 78 percent of the votes for the Rookie of the Year trophy.

“Rookie of the Year means he is the best young player in the league and he can be proud of that achievement.

“When he first came in I knew he would adapt well, you could see he was the sort of player who was going to prosper in our league.

“He has made a massive impact and he is a player everyone has been talking about, so it was no surprise that he picked up this award.

“John Barry is a great guy off the field too and there is probably no one more deserving.”

Nusum banged in in 30 goals in 33 games, helping his side to third place in the regular season standings and a spot in the semi-final play-offs.

A powerful presence up front, he has been inspired for the KiXX and admits to being rejuvenated after a tough season with the struggling Toronto Lynx in the A-league last year.

Nusum is now at a crossroads in his career - he admitted earlier this week that he didn't know if he would return to the Lynx or even come back to Philadelphia - and Bascome believes he has a lot of opportunities.

“I spoke to John Barry to congratulate him after he got the award and we also had a bit of a chat about what he is going to do next,” continued Bascome, who is recovering from a minor knee operation performed on Monday.

“He has a lot of opportunities. He is a great soccer player and he is young, he can do anything he wants in this game.

“There are many different ways forward for him including maybe the MLS and he certainly has a bright future if he decides to keep playing the indoor game.”

Nusum has received some criticism for heading to the KiXX, with some believing he is wasting his talents - something with which Bascome vehemently disagrees.

“The indoor game has been very good to me and I am certainly not going to knock it,” said Bascome, a perennial All-star player in the MISL.

“When I first came into it, the outdoor game in the States certainly wasn't growing and this was my best option.

“Maybe things are different now and he is young enough that he can make any decision he wants. But if he does end up staying here it certainly won't be a waste of his talents.

“It is a great league with some great players in it. I think the indoor game can actually help your outdoor one because it improves things like your first touch.

“I think John Barry will have got a lot out of playing here this last year and could do so in the future if he decides to keep going here.”

And Bascome is keen to see as many Bermudians as possible follow in Nusum's - and his - footsteps, declaring the pro game the way forward for any aspiring young player.

“I would encourage every player who is good enough to try and get into pro soccer,” continued Bascome, who will be scouting for new prospects while running his annual soccer school here in the summer.

“To get paid to play the sport you love is a wonderful thing and if you have the right attitude, you can really get places in this sport.

“I'm delighted for people like John Barry and I am also delighted for someone like Khano (Smith, who flew out to join the MLS' New England Revolution yesterday).

“I keep telling all my team-mates here and anyone else who will listen that Bermuda produces the best footballers.

“Myself, Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne have got great things from the sport and I hope that others will do the same.

“I'm sure Khano will do well in America, a mate of mine coaches the Chicago Fire reserve side who Khano may well play against this Sunday and I have warned him to look out.”