<p>Indian basketball finds itself on the cusp of a possible revolution after Satnam Sigh, the teen giant from the hinterlands of Punjab, became the first from the country to be selected in the US’ National Basketball Association (NBA) draft.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Dallas Mavericks chose the seven-foot-two-inch, 290-pound centre with the 52nd overall pick in the 60-pick draft on Thursday night in New York, sparking jubilation in Satnam’s family and among Indian basketball fans.<br /><br />The announcement, historic in every way, was quick to well up the eyes of the 19-year-old from the small, obscure village of Ballo Ke in Punjab. <br /><br />His family is into farming, a profession which would have naturally been bequeathed to him had Satnam not challenged his destiny. “I feel good,” he said. “I feel excited. I am now with a team I can get a lot better (with) in the next couple of years.”<br /><br />For Satnam, who moved to the US in 2010 to train at the IMG Academy in Florida, the last five years had been challenging in every possible way. <br /><br />He hopes his achievement will help open up the way for many aspiring hoopsters in the country. “The feeling is unreal, but it has happened, and I feel my entry will certainly open the doors for many aspiring basketballers in India,” said Satnam.</p>
<p>Indian basketball finds itself on the cusp of a possible revolution after Satnam Sigh, the teen giant from the hinterlands of Punjab, became the first from the country to be selected in the US’ National Basketball Association (NBA) draft.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Dallas Mavericks chose the seven-foot-two-inch, 290-pound centre with the 52nd overall pick in the 60-pick draft on Thursday night in New York, sparking jubilation in Satnam’s family and among Indian basketball fans.<br /><br />The announcement, historic in every way, was quick to well up the eyes of the 19-year-old from the small, obscure village of Ballo Ke in Punjab. <br /><br />His family is into farming, a profession which would have naturally been bequeathed to him had Satnam not challenged his destiny. “I feel good,” he said. “I feel excited. I am now with a team I can get a lot better (with) in the next couple of years.”<br /><br />For Satnam, who moved to the US in 2010 to train at the IMG Academy in Florida, the last five years had been challenging in every possible way. <br /><br />He hopes his achievement will help open up the way for many aspiring hoopsters in the country. “The feeling is unreal, but it has happened, and I feel my entry will certainly open the doors for many aspiring basketballers in India,” said Satnam.</p>
