ALEX Owumi is hoping to inspire Worcester Wolves to the first major final in the club’s history.

The Nigerian-born guard has been one of the team’s star performers in Wolves’ six-game winning streak this month.

They are out to continue that against Leicester Riders in a two-legged British Basketball Trophy semi-final at the University of Worcester on Friday and in the East Midlands on Saturday (both 7.30pm tip-offs).

The winners will meet either Sheffield Sharks or Cheshire Phoenix in the final, with the Sharks holding a 74-60 first-leg advantage.

Owumi is no stranger to winning silverware, having won the Egyptian championship with El-Olympi in 2011 and being named most valuable player, just weeks after being caught up in the Libyan uprising.

Now he is looking to use that experience to help Wolves get the better of the Riders in the last-four encounter. He said: “I have won a couple of trophies in the Middle East in the last couple of years. It’s all about winning – if you’re not winning, you’re not living.

“I can bring that type of motivation and experience to these guys, they know that’s why I’m vocal on court. The coach lets me take leadership on the floor and locker-room but they understand what this game means on Friday.

“I think the team will be ready to play. If you’re not ready to play by Thursday night then there’s something wrong. They have never reached a final so it will be big for the city and the players and fans. It will be a good thing just to get to the final.”

Owumi also believes Wolves have the talent to beat the Riders and reach the final in Glasgow on Saturday, March 9. The 28-year-old said: “I think we’ve got a chance to pull it off. Leicester are a very good, physical team and it’s going to be a bit of a dogfight but I’m looking forward to it.

“Last season was good but this year we have a really good team. I’m not taking anything away from the last team but we really have the pieces to the puzzle.

“I’m playing pretty well but I can’t take all the credit. I don’t set screens for myself or pass myself the ball so a lot of credit goes to my team-mates. I’m just there to shoot the ball, score and play defence but they really do it all for me.

“Carlos Fernandez is good playing point guard, Sherrad Prezzie-Blue is coming back, Stan Ocitti’s doing well, Arnas Kazlauskas is shooting well, Arturas Masiulis is really strong and Kai Williams is probably the hottest one in the team right now.”