Mensah-Bonsu has played in the NBA with Dallas Mavericks

Pops Mensah-Bonsu is looking forward to his Great Britain debut and says the team can qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

The London-born former NBA player, currently in Spain with CB Granada, is thrilled to be part of the first team with Olympic qualification hopes.

The 24-year-old told BBC London 94.9: "We know what our level is and we know what we can do.

"I think it looks pretty positive for us even though the odds are against us for being a fairly new team."

Mensah-Bonsu added he was shocked that the British team would not be given automatic qualification for the 2012 Olympics.

"I found out that we have to prove to the Olympic Committee that we have a team that will be able to compete."

"I think it's kind of unfair that we have to qualify for a tournament even though we're hosting it."

You grow up wanting to represent your country Pops Mensah-Bonsu

"You're not going to hear any complaints from me or any of the other players.

"We're just going to go out there and just show everybody that we're going to qualify regardless whether they're going to let us in automatically or we have to go and take it."

Mensah-Bonsu was unable to make his debut in a Great Britain jersey last year because of contractual issues with his former team the Dallas Mavericks.

But after a season playing in Italy he says cannot wait to step out for his country, especially on home soil.

The Tottenham Hotspur fan will play in Great Britain's 2008 European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic at the O2 Arena in September.

"When I found out we were playing at the O2 Arena, especially my first game in London, it was a big deal to me.

"You grow up wanting to represent your country and my birthday is the next day so if we beat them that would be a great birthday present."

The 6 feet 9 inch star also intends to return to the NBA this year.

"Things are looking pretty positive as far as that's concerned," he added.

"A couple of try-outs here and there and God willing I'll be able to get back into the NBA."