TY Shaw is looking beyond Worcester Wolves’ “gruelling” British Basketball League campaign as he bids to be at the club for the long run.

After three years as a player at Wolves the American has returned to the city to head up the coaching team while taking on the role of director of basketball at the University of Worcester.

Shaw said he was “very humbled” to secure the top job as he described Wolves as a “very attractive” proposition for a coach and was determined to push the club on.

“You can look at this from lots of different perspectives,” Shaw said.

“You can look at it day-to-day and as a season-long process because that’s as long term as some coaches operate because this is a heavy season which can be gruelling at times.

“For me though it can definitely be a long-term situation because there are so many opportunities here to grow and develop which should be very exciting for everybody involved and certainly myself.

“Long term is a great option for an individual like myself in a great situation like this.”

Shaw played for Wolves between 2003 and 2006 but admitted Worcester had always remained a “special place” for him.

The 39-year-old said he was delighted to be back and wanted to create “new memories”.

“When I left here as a player I always continued to check to see how the team was doing and stayed in touch with a lot of people,” Shaw said.

“When I was first here back in 2003 the programme was a little bit in its infancy.

“It has just got stronger and stronger from that point which has been really cool to see.

“I am kind of jealous, thinking ‘Why wasn’t this here when I was a player?'

“It has been fantastic to see the arena and all the facilities, including the ice baths in our locker rooms and the strength and conditioning suite.

“The first time I went back to the sports hall in the St John’s campus you see the Wolves banners up and ‘I thought that’s pretty cool as I was a part of that team’.

“You go through the city and you remember that’s where we had team nights out.

“You remember the good stuff but you want to try to create new memories all the time.”

Shaw, who has previously coached German Pro B sides and at American universities over the past 12 years, said he would bring “energy and enthusiasm” to his new post at Worcester.

“You learn as much as you can from every experience that you have so I hope previous coaching positions have put me in a good situation to be successful with Wolves,” Shaw added.

“I have been the head coach of a pro team in Germany before so it is a similar situation but with added roles.

“I look at this as a great challenge and an opportunity to really develop outside of just being a coach.”

After tonight's home match with Plymouth Raiders (7.30pm), Wolves visit Cheshire Phoenix in Shaw’s second competitive game in charge on Sunday (5.30pm).