America
Satnam hoping to become first India-born player in NBA
New York, June 7
India-born Satnam Singh
Bhamara may be included in this year's draft of America's National
Basketball Association (NBA) as the 7ft-2inch, 290-pound Indian has
taken part in training sessions of top teams - Sacramento Kings and
Boston Celtics - this week.
He is hoping to become the first
India-born player in NBA. Gursimran "Sim" Bhullar became the first
player of Indian origin to play in the NBA when he turned out for the
Kings in three games in April, reports Xinhua.
Scouts at
Sacramento Kings, who conducted a successful pre-draft workout with
Satnam on Thursday, see the glimpses of Chinese legend Yao Ming in the
Indian youngster. Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball
player who played for Houston Rockets, becoming the first Chinese player
to play in NBA.
In their second pre-draft workout, the Kings had
their focus mainly on the post guards. The Indian centre towered above
the other two - California's David Kravish and Stefan Nastic of
Stanford. All the three NBA hopefuls were put through a series of drills
to test their ability to play the post.
Hoping to become the
first Indian-born hoopster to play in the NBA, Satnam looked agile under
the glass and was shooting the ball well to appear as the prime
candidate for the Kings. Whether he makes it to the team immediately or
has to wait, the 19-year-old is fully aware of the pressure that comes
with being the most promising NBA prospect from India.
"The
pressure is really a lot on both my shoulders. One shoulder is my family
and the other is India. I am here because of India. My coaches, family,
friends and fans back home always motivate me to do something great
here," Satnam said on Sunday.
The Kings owner, Indian businessman Vivek Ranadive too was present during the workout.
"How
are you feeling over here and asked me whether I would like to do a
summer camp. I immediately said, 'Yes, I would love it'," Satnam said of
his first meeting with Ranadive.
The Kings' Indian connection
will be handy for Satnam, who comes from a small village named Ballo Ke,
in the Barnala district of Punjab. Since taking over as the principal
owner of the Kings, Ranadive has been vocal about his desire to make the
team a global brand, particularly in India.
In April, the team
signed 7'5 Sim Bhullar, who became the first player of Indian origin to
play in the NBA. Canada-born Bhullar played in three games for the Kings
and was released after his 10-day contract.
Realistically, it's
far way to go for Indians to see their giants reach Yao Ming's height on
court in NBA. Bhullar's performance is less persuasive for any NBA team
to offer a long-term contract.
Bhamara does not seem to have
much chance to be drafted in the NBA this year, but he plans to turn
professional after not qualifying for a college scholarship. In the long
run, India can expect to see their "Yao Ming" thanks to a batch of
favourable conditions -- India's market, the Kings' Indian background
and Bhamara's potential.
Bhamara can be considered as a favoured
NBA draft pick next year if he can't make it this year. Kings' former
interim head coach, Kenny Natt, who has been working with Satnam has
said: "I have been in the league and know how guys like Satnam are
looked upon. He has size, strength and touch. He has good hands and can
run the floor. Those are the types of things that NBA teams value."
NBA
league welcomes another heavyweight Asian player after the retirement
of Yao Ming, who had made a huge impact both on and off the court. NBA
had been experiencing its influence expanding along with Yao Ming's
presence in the league.
A NBA star from the world's second most populous country will do a world of good for the league.