FORMER Plymouth Raiders shooting-guard Drew Lasker is struggling to find a new club.

The 27-year-old has spent the last five seasons at Raiders, but left this summer.

Lasker aims to play at a higher level than the BBL, in Europe this season.

However, he has two things counting against him.

One: his size. And two: the fact he is American and does not hold a European passport.

Lasker told Herald Sport in an email from his home in Houston, Texas: "Other than still being a free agent, things are great.

"I've had some interest from bigger clubs in countries like Israel for example, but we keep losing out for the same reason.

"Teams want their starting shooting-guards to be a little bigger, so if I had a (European) passport we would be set."

Lasker is 6ft 2in, but a club for example in Israel would typically want a shooting-guard to be at least 6ft 4in.

Lasker added: "My agent said someone will overlook this eventually. I'm just staying patient."

Basketball leagues throughout Europe typically cap how many non-European Union imports clubs can recruit.

In the BBL that limit is three, but at the highest level in Spain it is only two.

Teams inevitably recruit imports from the United States, the strongest nation in world basketball, therefore to start, not come off the bench.

Lasker could this summer apply for a British passport, because he has lived and worked in the UK for the past five years.

But the process is understood to have become much more stringent in recent years.

For example, applicants must have spent no more than 15 months (three per year) outside the UK during that five year period — and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.

Lasker rejoined Raiders very late last season, on December 2, which ostensibly would scupper any application he made this year.

He, however, has been working hard on his game this summer with a clear view to playing in Europe in 2010/11.

Lasker is a terrific competitor, a fierce defender and spectacular counter-attacker.

But his imperfect ball-handling ability and inconsistent three-point shot would be problems at a higher level.

It would be fair to say — but only a rough metaphor — that if Spain, in English football terms, is akin to the Championship, the BBL is League Two.

Lasker said "My game is really sharpening up. I have been focusing on my three-ball and getting up about 400 a day in the gym. Hopefully that will raise my percentage this season."

Lasker was effectively a rookie when Raiders first recruited him on the eve of the 2005/06 season.

He tried and ultimately failed to find a new club in Europe, primarily Spain and Germany, last summer.

That was after negotiations with Raiders over money broke down.

The same thing happened with new Raiders coach Gavin Love this year.

But Lasker said: "Myself and Gavin and Raiders remain cordial.

"Plymouth have a solid roster. Gavin has done a great job recruiting this summer. If they can overcome their youth, they should do well."

Meanwhile, Lasker's team-mates at Raiders last season — guard Allister Gall, 30, and forwards Matt Hilleary, 29, and Tino Valencia — continue to look for new clubs.

Valencia, 25, was overlooked by Love for the final import spot on Raiders' roster this season.

Love instead recruited Lehmon Colbert in Valencia's position.

Valencia said: "The club went in another direction I guess, so it's okay with me. Right now I am not signed. Hopefully I will be soon."

He added: "I'm trying to get somewhere in Europe. I have a couple of clubs interested.

"You never know, I may be back with Raiders later this year."