Satnam Singh Bhamara, 19, the first Indian-born player to be drafted into NBA for Dallas Mavericks, is spending extra time on the court to get adapted to the huge demands of the sport in United States. The 7'2" centre player tells Karthik Raman what difficulties he faced when he moved to the US and how he reached this juncture in life.
You joined IMG Academy in United States at the age of 14, how difficult was it to get used to the cultureIJ
Initially I had the language problem. But I have been there for few years now, so now it is okay… I am able to manage. Besides, those in the academy helped me a lot to make myself at home.
How was your experience at the academyIJ
It was amazing. It was a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills. The academy helped me in many ways to help me improve my game.
You did not play at the collegiate level and directly jumped into the NBA draft. As a result you missed some crucial competitive years during your development stage. How much do you think that will affect you when you start playing in the NBA Development leagueIJ
last couple of years I didn't play at the college level. But, IMG gave me a good opportunity to play over there and get used to things, which will help me a lot in getting used to the conditions.
What extra measures are you taking to adapt to the Development leagueIJ
I do extra workouts and practice extra with my coaches. My coaches have asked me to come for additional training sessions, which I am doing to adopt to the level of the game.
How much has this new journey helped you so farIJ
It has been a great experience for me. The best coaches are over there, coaches who know everything about basketball are there. I am very happy to learn from them.
What is your target nowIJ
My target is to play the first game in NBA.
How long do you think it will take you to reach that goalIJ
I think one, two or maybe even three years. It is about my body and how I can move my body to keep up with the demands of the game. Also my coaches need to see and analyse.
Your grandfather did not allow your father, Balbir, to pursuit his career in basketball. But, how helpful was you father in achieving your dreamIJ
My father definitely helped me a lot. He was like if I was not able to do it, atleast my son has to do it. He wanted me to create a big name for myself.
nHow pivotal do you think your achievements will be for Indian playersIJ
I think it will be helpful for a lot of players and new generation players. It will be a great experience for everyone to go that far.
Any tips for the youngstersIJ
Keep working hard, focus on your job and don't look back. No matter what, stay true to yourself and respect everyone in the same way. Also to reach greater heights in the sport, you have to start spending more time on the court and train hard like the pro's.
When do you plan on returning back to IndiaIJ
I would like to improve myself and in future one day come and play here when I am a better player.