NEW signing Mike Ojo can take Worcester Wolves to “another level”, according to head coach Paul James.

The American-British guard, 28, arrived at the University of Worcester Arena on Monday after Wolves announced his capture last week.

And James says he fully expects Ojo to make a big impact in the British Basketball League as he prepares to make his debut in Wolves’ home clash against Bristol Flyers on Friday (7.30pm).

“We will see how the week goes and how quickly he fits in,” James said.

“But he has a high basketball IQ so I am expecting him to slot in straight away and play some good minutes for the team.

“As the season goes on he will get more and more minutes but we are not bringing him in to sit on the bench.

“We are bringing him here to make an impact, run the team, score, play great defence and just help take us to another level again.

“We have got two very important games this weekend with Bristol in the league and then Cheshire away in the quarter-final of the BBL Trophy on Sunday (7.30pm) so the sooner we can get Mike started the better.”

Ojo will be making a return to Britain’s top flight having been on Plymouth Raiders’ books in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons.

During his time at Raiders, Ojo helped the team make it to the BBL Cup and Trophy finals and in his final campaign averaged 22.5 points per game.

He has also gained experience in multiple European leagues, including Italian team La Briosa Barcellona, and finished last season at the Austria-A Bundesliga side Basket Swans Gmunden.

James said: “Mike is a combo guard but for us he will play a lot more in the point guard position than at shooting guard.

“He has played in this league before when he was a rookie at Plymouth and in his second season there he averaged 22 points per game so he can score in this league and that’s the sort of thing we want.

“He can penetrate and get to the basket, can create for other people and create his own shots and above all he is a fantastic defensive player so he is going to bring some added strength to our defensive line-up.”

Ojo replaces Ashton Khan who left Wolves last month to join Portuguese outfit Sport Club Lusitânia.

And James is confident Ojo’s arrival will not disrupt Wolves who put together a nine-match winning streak before losing 91-82 at leaders Leicester Riders last Saturday.

“We have been careful about who we have brought in,” James added.

“He is proven in this league, is a team player and his work ethic is similar to what we have now within the squad.

“He works hard both on and off the floor so he is someone who we believe will make a smooth transition.”