Francis walks tall as basketball international

HE'S only 13 and just five feet tall...

But South Yorkshire schoolboy Francis Mubaiwa is the cream of the court - after becoming one of England's youngest international basketball stars.

Zimbabwe-born Francis has just returned from Argentina, where he was the youngest member of the national under-15 team.

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He was selected for the team despite his youth - and was the smallest player on the pitch.

But size didn't matter for this sharp-shooter - he scored 17 points in a 125-115 win for England.

And despite the long-haul travel to South America he missed no school, flying out after lessons on Friday and getting back in time for classes on Monday.

Francis, from Intake in Doncaster, said: "I may not be 7ft tall, but I'm good and dribbling and taking the ball. I feel very proud. My friends at school all want to play as well, now."

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Danum School head Dr Kelvin Simmonds said: "We are immensely proud of Francis. He is a talented player who I am convinced we will see much more of in the future."

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