Despite US break, Palpreet to keep playing for India
MUMBAI: On his first visit to India after being drafted by Dallas Mavericks, Satnam Singh announced he would no longer turn out for the national team, claiming his main aim was to further his career in NBA. Though India did well in the recently concluded FIBA Asia Challenge in Iran, finishing seventh overall, there was a feeling that with the likes of Satnam Singh dominating the paint, India could have done better.
Palpreet Singh Brar, who on Sunday followed Satnam Singh as the second India to be drafted into NBA by D-League outfit Long Island Nets, too missed the FIBA Asia Challenge in September as he was preparing in USA for the D-League National Tryouts. So, in his first interaction with the Indian media after being drafted in D-League, Palpreet faced the inevitable question: Will he too turn his back on the national team now that he has got a foothold in NBA?
“No,” said Palpreet. “I would continue playing for India. I will be available whenever they call me. I want to learn things in NBA, improve my skills and help India do better in international basketball,” the 6 foot 9 inches, 200 pound power forward from in Doda village in Sri Muktsar Sahib district of Punjab.
Palpreet was in the D-League draft along with two other Indians – Amjyot and Amritpal Singh and his selection ahead of the more his experienced countrymates surprised many – especially as Amjyot had last week guided Team Hamamatsu of Japan to runnersup finish in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Finals in Abu Dhabi.
What seems to have worked Palpreet’s favour was his fitness.
“When I won the ACG NBA Jump (a talent search competition organised by NBA India) my fitness was not that good. I had a 45-day camp in Kerala where the coaches made me work on my fitness and that helped me a lot in getting drafted,” Palpreet said.
In his first interaction with the Long Island Nets coaching staff, Palpreet was told to work on his fitness and skills. “The coach said not to worry about other things but concentrate on my game. I have to work a lot on by defensive and offensive skills, work hard on my game and hope for the better. I have not set any targets for myself but I am confident that I would one day play in the NBA proper.”
When he started his journey, Palpreet says he never thought that one day he would be in the NBA. “I only wanted to play for my state and hopefully for the country.” Now that he has got into D-League, Palpreet wants to make the most of this opportunity and hopes that it would inspire more and more Indian kids to aspire for a place in basketball’s biggest and most prestigious league.