Satm hoping to become first India-born player in NBA

New York, June 7: India-born Satm Singh Bhamara may be included in this year’s draft of America’s tiol 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 Satm on Thursday, see the glimpses of Chinese legend Yao Ming in the Indian youngster. Ming is a retired Chinese professiol 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 stic 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, Satm 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. IANS