The Big East basketball season kicks off in a few days time and although I’ve been training hard, I won’t actually be playing this season.

When I moved to the US in 2007, I played with the University of Washington for a year before transferring to Connecticut.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has a huge rule book full of stuff and there’s a rule that when players transfer from another college they have to sit out a year.

I actually feel good about it. Last year was such a full-on year with the Olympics so this is a good year for me to sit out. It has given me time to settle in and adjust, and I can work on the areas of my game that need improving.

It’s also good to have a bit of break from playing to make sure I don’t get burnt out playing basketball.

I had a break from school with the Olympics so it’s taken time getting back into studying. I’m doing more subjects that I was in Washington and have school from 8am to 3pm depending on when classes. Then I train for about two-and-half to three-and-half hours, with extra weight training on three days for 45 minutes.

Connecticut are one of the top teams in the Big East league and are coached by Geno Auriemma who has led them to five championships. It’s a very professional approach to the game. You go to training, you go to school, then you go to training - it becomes your job.

College sport is pretty big in the US. Our basketball team sell out all our home games (the stadium holds around 15,000-17,000) and on the road there can be crowds up to 37,000.

I’ve also found the style of play in America is a bit different. In New Zealand and Australia we play more international basketball, with a lot of up and down the court and team-orientated plays. In America you’re still relying on the plays but it’s very individualised.

It takes a bit of time to adjust to the different style. Last year I managed to get into to it after a while. Once I get out there and get involved in the game I usually settle in fine.

After college I would love to play the game professionally. I would like to play in the WNBL one day, but l want to play a little bit further from home before that. There are some great leagues in Europe and, you never know, there’s always the WNBA...

J-Mac