Influential Ipswich Basketball player Leigh Greenan, has left the club to sign a professional deal with NBL Division One side Hemel Storm, and hopes the move will boost his 2018 Commonwealth Games chances.

The seven-footer, averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots for Ipswich in Division Two last season, leading the team to fourth place in the league and the play-off semi-finals.

Greenan, who has also played for Essex Leopards and French side, St Dizier during his career, leaves the club after a 12-year association which started in the under-16s.

“I am really excited and can’t wait to get started with Hemel,” said Greenan, who is targeting a place with England at next year’s Games in Australia.

“That being said, Ipswich will always be my basketball home and it has always been and always will be a very special place for me.

“I can’t thank everyone at Ipswich enough for all of their support over the past 12 years.”

He added: “Ipswich is a great club with great people.

“I want to challenge myself at the highest level possible and give myself a chance to be in the mix with the Commonwealth Games in the near future, this move gives me a great platform for that. But one day, who knows – I could be back, I love it here.”

Ipswich head coach Nick Drane, who has worked with Greenan for a number of years, paid tribute to the club stalwart.

He said: “I’m very proud of Leigh, both as a player and as a person.

“In both senses, he is irreplaceable.

“He’s one of, if not, the best players to come out of this club and has certainly been an absolute monster for the team over the past six seasons with the men’s team.

“However, we like all of our players to spread their wings and Leigh is still young enough to have a real shot at playing senior international basketball – who would want to stand in the way of that?

Drane added: “Leigh has been as big of a part of the Ipswich Basketball family as anyone for more than a decade and although he will be wearing a different uniform next season, nothing will change – he will continue to be part of our club and a great role model for our young players.”