It took Sheffield Sharks four months to get high-profile summer recruit Mervin James on the court but four games in, he is already showing what they have been missing.

The 24-year-old forward from the US Virgin Islands had an explosive first year in British basketball with Surrey 89ers, helping them to the SLB Cup final which they lost to the Sharks. Along the way he was the joint-top average points scorer last season and led Super League Basketball in field goals made.

But injury stunted his start in Sheffield and he didn’t take to the court until their December 5 defeat to Newcastle Eagles.

Two Trophy games, including a 20-point performance against Caledonia Gladiators, showed the promise and he continued fulfilling that on Tuesday night when his 32 points led the Sharks past Cheshire Phoenix in a fiery game at a packedCanon Medical Arena. On Sunday he comes face to face with the team that brought him to Britain when Surrey visit his new home.

First impressions: Mervin James celebrates a dunk in Sheffield Sharks' victory over Cheshire Phoenix on Tuesday night.

placeholder image — First impressions: Mervin James celebrates a dunk in Sheffield Sharks' victory over Cheshire Phoenix on Tuesday night.

“We had high hopes for him already,” said head coach Atiba Lyons, who loves having big, powerful ball-handlers on his roster.

“He led the league in scoring last season and against us in the final he had an incredible game, so we know what he’s capable of doing because he’d showed us first hand last season.

“He is probably having a much stronger start than I thought but we know he’s capable of that.

“It’s always an issue to get that first one out the way against your former club but he’s going to show up and play hard.”

Mervin James top-scored with 32 points for Sheffield Sharks against Cheshire on Tuesday and now goes up against former club Surrey 89ers (Picture: Adam Bates)

Sharks will now look to continue the momentum that saw them pull to within one win of overtaking Cheshire and rising to second when Surrey come to town on Sunday.

The 89ers may be eighth in the standings but they have won more than they have lost on the road this season, 3-2, and if Sharks want to keep up the heat on runaway leaders London Lions, it is a game they cannot afford to slip up in.

Lyons said: “We have to build that momentum to have a chance for silverware and possibly hauling in London. They’ve got a firm lead but we want to be in the position where if something goes bad we’re in a position to capitalise on it.”