I was signed to Newcastle's youth team - now I'm balling out for Nets in NBA

The 23-year-old made his debut with the franchise's G League affiliate two days later, posting 39 points in a blowout win for the Long Island Nets.

Amid a slew of injuries, Evbuomwan was thrust into the Nets' rotation where he has continued to impress.

The 6ft 7in star, who is versatile enough to play at guard or forward, has been one of the Nets' few bright sparks over recent games.

He recently dropped a career-high 22 points in a 112-111 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz, shooting 88 percent in 24 minutes off the bench while leading the Nets in scoring.

Evbuomwan also put up five rebounds and an assist and hit two clutch free throws in overtime, although it wasn't enough to avoid defeat for the now 13-26 Nets who are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference.

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In five games with Brooklyn, Evbuomwan is averaging 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 57.1 percent shooting from the field and 35.7 percent from three.

It's been quite the journey for the youngster, who was born and raised in in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England.

His father, Isaac, played college basketball at the University of Lagos in his native Nigeria while his mother, Michelle, who was born to a Nigerian father and English mother, moved to Lagos when she was 21-years-old.

Using her commercial pilot's license she earned in the UK, Michelle became the first female captain to pilot a plane in Nigeria, which is where she met Isaac and they began dating.

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Tosan's father Isaac eventually moved to England for work one year later and Michelle followed him there, and they decided to settle in Newcastle after starting a family.

Before discovering basketball at the age of 14, Evbuomwan enjoyed football, rugby, cricket and track and field, and was even selected for Premier League side Newcastle United's Youth Academy.

However, he had a basketball hoop at his house because his father had played in Nigeria and he began to hone his skills.

Evbuomwan soon made waves at Royal Grammar School in Newcastle, where he helped establish the school's basketball team.

Tosan played for the Newcastle Eagles U18 team and gained recognition at the Deng Camp (run by former NBA player Luol Deng), where his standout performances caught the attention of American universities.

He eventually joined Princeton University, thanks in part to highlight reels shared by Newcastle Eagles' head coach Ian MacLeod.

At Princeton, Tosan became a standout player, earning Ivy League Player of the Year honours and leading the Tigers to a historic Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

After going undrafted in 2023, he showcased his talent in the NBA G League, averaging an impressive 18.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for the San Diego Clippers this season.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tosan practiced with the Newcastle Eagles and represented Great Britain's 3x3 team in Tel Aviv, continuing to refine his skills.

The Englishman's journey has been long, and has included stops with the Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons.

He is one of just nine players to make the NBA through the UK basketball system, and joins the likes of fellow British players OG Anunoby (New York Knicks) and Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs) who are currently playing in the league.

Evbuomwan continues to capitalize on the opportunities he's been given, and looks to have found a home in Brooklyn with high praise from head coach Jordi Fernandez.

"Amazing. He's 7/8 from the field, 22 points," Fernandez said of Tosan after the Jazz loss.

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"He's always under control and looks like a guy who has been there before. He's 23… I'm very happy to see him [play], keep working with him, keep developing him. He's doing his job."

Tosan will look to continue his hot start to 2025 when his Nets take on the Portland Trail Blazers at home in their next contest.