Satnam Singh to make big difference for India according to Sharma
MUMBAI (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Asian basketball fans have not seen Satnam Singh Bhamara on the FIBA Asia stage since 2013, but that is set to change this year as he is expected to suit up for India in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.
This much was confirmed by Mr. Chander Mukhi Sharma, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), and this development will certainly make Indian basketball fans salivate at the prospect of having maybe the biggest and strongest men's national team in the country's hardwood history.
Satnam last played for India at the FIBA Asia Championship 2013 in Manila, where the team placed 11th overall. He was also part of the team two years earlier in the FIBA Asia Championship 2011 in Wuhan, which was almost immediately after he represented India in the FIBA U16 Asia Championship in the same year.
Recently, Satnam has made global headlines as India's first-ever NBA draftee after he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round in 2015. The then 19-year-old never made it to the team's active roster but he has since been toiling in the D-League for the Texas Legends, earning valuable experience against the kind of competition he probably would have never faced in India.
Sharma is sure that Satnam will make a big difference for India this year, and he talked about it in a recent interview with FIBA.com.How important is it to have someone like Satnam play for India at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 in Beirut?
With Satnam playing in the NBA D-League and performing quite well there, it will be highly beneficial for us with all that experience he has gained playing with and against some of the top competition in the world. The overall morale of the team will definitely be boosted by bringing such a talented and experienced player as Satnam. The team will benefit from his experience and, along with our current centre Amritpal Singh, having all that size and talent at the next FIBA Asia Cup will definitely boost our chances of performing well.
Right now, as you all are aware, India's big 3 are taking Indian basketball to great heights with their performances over the last three years. With Vishesh, Amritpal and Amjyot, they already bring to the table a huge amount of talent, hard work and dedication. Now, with Satnam in the fold, this will be the most talented and experienced team India has ever fielded.
Is the BFI working on having Satnam this summer in Beirut?
As of right now, he has confirmed his participation for the Indian National Team. He has confirmed that he will be available for Team India as soon as his professional obligations in the USA are complete. He will be a great addition to the Indian Team, and we look forward to having our full squad ready to go in August at Beirut!!
FIBA
