India’s Satnam Singh Bhamara made history by becoming the first Indian-born player to be picked in the 2015 NBA Draft. It’s ok if you don’t know him yet, even the NBA isn’t quite sure.
So here’s everything you need to know about India’s history making Satnam Singh.
Watch this space, Singh could be the person to kickstart basketball in one of the world’s largest countries.
1. Stats
• Name: Satnam Singh Bhamara
• DOB: 12/10/95
• Height: 7’2”
• Weight: 290 lbs
• Shoe Size: 22
• NBA Position: Centre
• NBA Team: Dallas Mavericks
2. At the age of 13
Satnam was already 6’11” weighing 230 pounds with size 18 feet. He had broad shoulders, a soft shooting touch and was just an ordinary, well-brought-up teenage country boy.
Basketball: Indian Basketball Story: Portrait of Satnam Singh Bhamara during photo shoot at IMG Academy.
CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
3. Early years
Nicknamed, “Chhotu,” meaning “Little One” in Punjab, Satnam Singh grew up on his Dad’s wheat farm in Ballo Ke village in the Punjab region of India which is four miles from the nearest paved road. Despite speaking no English Singh moved to the United States in 2010 after being selected to be part of a scholarship program between the USA and India.
4. Still a teenager
Singh is still only 19-years- old! He spent the past years studying and playing for the IMG Academy team in Florida, developing into a dynamic Centre. During the past season he averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in less than 20 minutes per game. Even popular still, he was elected Homecoming King.
5. His family is large
His Father Balbir Singh Bhamara is over 7-feet tall and his Grandmother is just under at 6’9”. His Father had dreams of playing basketball but as a family of farmers he was expected to tend to fields.
6. Indians in the NBA
Earlier this month, 22-year-old Canadian-Punjabi Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian-descent to play in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings.
7. What this means for India
Althought Singh is little known in his homeland, where cricket reigns dominance, his success in the United States could change that in the same way China’s Yao Ming galvanized basketball in his country.
8. What’s next
Although Singh didn’t receive any scholarship offers to play for an American College, this is the first time since high schoolers became ineligible for the draft in 2005 that a player was selected without playing in college, overseas, or in the NBA Development League. Spectators have sais the best route for him is to play in the Mavericks’ D-League affiliate and advance from there.
9. Quote Satnam Singh:
“I want 10 more players to come out of India after me,” he said, “I don’t want to be the only one to be there. I want to work it out there and prove myself so that 10 more will come, and 20 more after that. I want to open a road in India for basketball. I’m from a small village, there could be others like me in small villages or towns in India who can dream of playing in the NBA.”
10. Potential Nicknames:
The Yao Ming of India, Satnam “Claus” Singh Bhamara, International Man of Mystery, Stretch five-and-a-half.
If you like this article you may be interested in “Cricket: South Africa Announces Landmark Indian Tour”.
