NBA star Pops in to meet the real Spurs

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The San Antonio Spurs are the sport's reigning champions in the United States thanks to the play of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.

Tottenham: Pops Mensah-Bonsu, pictured during his time with the George Washington Colonials

But Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, the NBA MVP in 2005 and 2006 is a lifelong Tottenham fan and was introduced to fans on the White Hart Lane pitch in the half-time interval during the 4-0 against Derby earlier this month.

And now Dallas Mavericks prospect Pops Mensah-Bonsu has revealed he is also a big fan of Martin Jol's blue and white army.

He grew up in Edmonton before heading to the US to further his basketball career playing college hoops and is currently back in the UK helping the Great Britain team qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

Pops teamed up with Darren Bent to talk to local youngsters at the St Thomas More College in Haringey and the Spurs striker said: "It's always nice to give something back to the community and for young people to come and see us and talk to us and see that we are human beings.

"A lot of people who see us on TV might think they'd never be able to talk to us, so for us to come down here and meet young people and influence them will hopefully give them some inspiration."

Bent also told the official club website he is a big NBA fan and added: "Pops is a top man. Considering he's a similar age to me, he's massive!

"It's always good to meet people from other sports and the NBA is massive. I've always loved watching basketball and playing basketball, and I had a good go. It was all fun."

Mensah-Bonsu revealed his long-term support for Tottenham when he revealed: "I was probably more excited than any of the youngsters about this day!

"I've been a Spurs fan for as long as I can remember and to meet one of the best strikers on our team was pretty big for me. Hopefully we can become good friends after this.

"The likes of Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne, David Ginola and Jurgen Klinsmann were my heroes growing up. That's why it was a pleasure for me to meet Darren."