Indian-origin lad makes history in US College basketball

Veer Singh (in white) is the first Indian-origin player in Seton Hall’s history

Veer Singh, an adolescent New Yorker of Indian descent, has earned a distinction by becoming the first person with Indian roots to be part of Seton Hall’s basketball team. According to his teammates, Veer Singh is the Seton Hall basketball team’s missing link. The convivial 6”7’ guard will take on the role of sharpshooter in the team, reports The Asbury Park Press.

The freshman from St. Peter’s Prep in New Jersey excels in long-range shooting and can hold his own on defense too, and as such is a godsend. His teammate, Isaiah Whitehead, said, “He’s going to bring the shooting ability I think we lack, and he’s going to stretch the floor for us. I saw him play a couple of times in high school and I thought he could shoot, but he’s really excelled here.”

Another teammate, Khadeen Carrington, echoed his thoughts, “With guys like me and Isaiah who can get to the basket, the defense is going to collapse. Veer is going to keep defenses honest and that’s what we need. The kid is a gunner. I think he’s going to play a big part in what we do this year.”

Head coach of Seton Hall, Kevin Willard, gushed about the addition of Singh, “I love Veer’s attitude. I love his toughness. I love how hard he’s played. Anyone who can make shots like he can is really going to help us.”

Despite all the fanfare over him, Singh remains grounded and focussed on improving aspects of his game. He realizes that the area that needs the most attention and is putting in the hard yards to make himself a more complete player.

Singh becomes the third Indian-origin player after Sim Bhullar and Satnam Singh Bhamara to make headlines in North American basketball. The point of difference is that where Bhullar and Bhamara, at more than seven feet tall, are Centers, Veer is a Shooting Guard. An enduring change in the trend, we hope.

Here’s a video of Veer Singh, long-haired and sporting a white jersey, heating up the court:

youtube-cover

Edited by Staff Editor