Carpe diem is a latin Aphorism which loosely translates to "Seize the Day" and that is exactly what the 21-year- old Palpreet Singh did on Thursday at the National Finals of NBA-ACG Jump, India's first national basketball talent search program.
The National finals marked the end of a 5-month program spanning across six regions in India. Winning it ensured Palpreet a place for a tryout at the NBA Development league (NBA D-league) which is NBA's official minor league.
Palpreet, who has represented India at SAFF, lusofonia and Asian Games, will leave for America in June.
He belongs to a small town named Muktsar Sahaib in Punjab. Standing at 6ft and 9 inches, Palpreet was selected by a panel which included Brian Shaw, (los Angeles lakers Champion, Former NBA Head Coach) and Carlos Barroca (Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations — NBA India).
Praising Singh, Shaw said, "His feel for the game and understanding, I could tell he grasps it. Palpreet, we all thought, was the guy who had the best chance to succeed."
Barroca also appreciated Singh's aggressive play and intensity, urging him to transcend his game to the next level. Notably, Palpreet received his initial training at the ludhiana Basketball Academy under the tutelage of Coach S Subramaniam who also trained Satnam Singh, the first player from India to be drafted into the NBA.