HEAD coach Paul James has been delighted with how quickly Robert Gilchrist has settled into life at Worcester Wolves and is confident he will be a “big asset” to his side.

The Great Britain international arrived at the University of Worcester Arena on a month-long deal last Friday and was thrown straight into the firing line that evening.

But the 27-year-old did not take long to hit the ground running as he notched 14 points and registered eight rebounds in Wolves’ 97-90 victory over Plymouth Raiders in the British Basketball League.

Worcester are now building up to their BBL Cup semi-final first leg against Sheffield Sharks tomorrow (7.30pm).

And James said he was excited by what Gilchrist would be able to offer his team after his impressive debut.

“He literally had a 30-minute walk-through with the guys last Friday before he played,” James said.

“We just kept it really simple so we didn’t go through all of our sets with him at that point.

“We went through three or four that we were going to run in the game but when it came down to defence that just came down to basketball IQ.

“I gave him one or two principles that we look to do defensively and told him to use his athleticism to rebound and block shots. I thought he did that really well.

“Now we have got a week to get him really involved in what we are doing and get him to understand how we want to play.

“He is a Great Britain international so he is a player who is very talented and multi-skilled with a good basketball IQ.

“He is certainly going to be a big asset for us in what is a busy December.

“Having Robert is a bit of a bonus so what we need is for everyone else to keep performing like they have been doing and carry on this winning streak.”

Gilchrist played for Spanish side Araberri last season in the Liga Española de Baloncesto Oro after spells in Germany and Greece.

The 6ft 9in power forward, who was born in London and spent his college career at Florida State Univeristy, has also made seven appearances for GB.

“Robert is not a complex guy,” James added.

“He is not going to come in and upset the apple cart. He is going to fit in with what we are doing and so far that looks to have happened really.

“Whenever you bring in a new player the other guys are going to be looking around thinking where is he going to get his court time?

“There could have been a bit of a reaction but thankfully that reaction was the first quarter against Plymouth and now it has gone.

“We have got a great bunch of guys here anyway and they have made him feel at home.”