BASKETBALL player Wilbur Johnson is used to wise cracks about his height - but he's big enough to take it.

At 6ft 9in, the Scottish Rocks' latest signing is the team's tallest ever star. And his towering presence leaves many of his 6ft 7ins teammates in the shade.

The big American, who weighs in at 20 stone, is well known in the British Basketball League from his time with the Sheffield Sharks and the Brighton Bears where he played alongside Rocks player/coach Sterling Davis.

Wilbur, 34, joined the Glasgow-based side on Friday after being laid off from his job at St Joseph's University in Philadelphia last month.

And the team, who now play at the Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, hopes he can help them hold on to their position at the top of the BBL Championships.

He said: "I fit in with the guys well, but I'm still trying to get into shape.I haven't really played for two years."

The big man, who has three children in the US, has signed a six-month contract. And he admits his massive frame has attracted a lot of attention in Glasgow.

He added: "I've been getting a lot of comments, but it's something you get used to. I'm the biggest guy in the team and I'm also quite wide as well.

"I suppose for basketball I'm quite a good size. But one of the guys I was up against recently was 7ft. So you've still got to battle in games."

The Scottish Rocks have been going for 10 years and recently signed a deal with Glasgow City Council that will shortly see them change their name to the Glasgow Rocks.