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The complete squadThursday, the 1st of October 2015 will see India playing China in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Championships, currently being held in Changsha, Hunan, China. A momentous occassion for the sport in India, because it will be the first time our basketball team (nicknamed “The Indian Cagers”) will have progressed to this stage of the tournament in twelve years. The FIBA Asia Championship is the most prestigious basketball tournament in the continent, and to see India progress to the decisive phases of it is an Indian basketball fan’s delight. For a sport that is plagued by the same ills as its other lesser-known peers, the Cagers have done remarkably well to advance this far in the tournament. Let us take a look at the roster of the Indian men’s national basketball team:
#1 Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (Captain)
Date of Birth: September 13, 1991 (age 24)
Height: 6”4’ (193 cms)
Position: Shooting Guard.
Achievements:
1. Most Valuable Player at Basketball Without Borders 2008
2. Captain of the Indian basketball team that won gold at the Asian Beach Games in Indonesia 2008
3. At the FIBA Asia Championships 2009, aged 17, he finished amongst the tournament’s top 10 in terms of points, steals and minutes per game.
The captain and floor general of the Indian team proved himself at a tender age, as evidenced by his accolades. Bhriguvanshi started playing on a court near his house in Varanasi, UP and never imagined where that first step would lead. He has been a part of the national team that took place in the Stankovic Cup and the Super Steung Cup. He was integral in India’s defeat of China in last year’s edition of the tournament.
Known for his three-point shooting prowess, Bhriguvanshi is the cornerstone of the Indian Cagers. He has averaged 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the tournament so far. Bhriguvanshi is employed by ONGC.
#2 Amjyot Singh
Date of Birth: 27/01/1992 (age 23)
Height: 6”9’ (206 cms)
Position: Power Forward
Arguably the best current Indian player and the spearhead of the Indian offense, Amjyot Singh originally intended to be a cricketer, until a back injury led him to the hardwood. Cricket’s loss was Indian basketball’s biggest gain. Amjyot’s celebrated selection in the Japanese professional league and the experience he has gleaned have developed his game by leaps and bounds.
The numbers speak for themselves: Amjyot is tied for the lead spot in points per game scored in the tournament (23) , and also has the most points scored in a single game (32). Amjyot, along with teammate Amritpal, created history by becoming one of three (the other being Satnam Singh Bhamara) players to be drafted by a professional basketball league.
Amjyot’s baseline drives, ball handling and three-point shooting are eyecatching, and he forms a formidable team with center Amritpal Singh. In contrast to his aggressive gameplay, the Ludhiana lad is the quintessential, amiable “gentle giant” off the court. Amjyot is employed by Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).
#3 Amritpal Singh
Date of Birth: 05/01/1991
Height: 7”0’ (213 cms)
Position: Center
Big man Amritpal Singh rounds out India’s star trio. India’s best option after the departure of Satnam Singh Bhamara, Amritpal is a consistent player at both end of the court. Originally a kabaddi player, Amritpal tended to his family’s agriculture business before his uncle saw potential in his prodigious height. His talent was visible almost immediately, and after being introduced to basketball in 2009, he was inducted into the famed Ludhiana Basketball Academy in 2010.
In 2015, Amritpal and Ludhiana stablemate Amjyot Singh made history by being drafted by the Hyogo Impulse,a Japanese professional basketball team. He played a crucial role in India’s historic upset of China in last year’s FIBA Asia Championships. His on-court chemistry with Amjyot Singh is one of the reasons for the Indian team’s current run of good form. Amritpal is employed by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
#4 Yadwinder Singh
Date of Birth: 30/12/1986
Height: 6”6’ (198 cms)
Position: Small Forward
Veteran forward Yadwinder Singh has been part of the national side since 2005. A late starter, he immersed himself in the sport upon introduction, seemingly eager to make up for lost time. His passion for the sport is evident at first glance of him playing.
Hailing for Rasulpur Khurd, a small village in Punjab, Yadwinder plays for ONGC. Prior to making the switch, he helped the Railways to three consecutive national championships. The galvanising agent of the Indian team is known for his aggression and energy on offense and defense, and never has a resting moment. Yadwinder models his style of play on his idol, Kevin Garnett.
#5 Akilan Pari
Date of Birth: 20/07/1989
Height: 5”11’ (180 cms)
Position: Point Guard
In 2014, the young point guard from Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, captained his state’s to its first Senior National Basketball Championship win in a decade. Years of hard work and keen studying of the game would culminate in him being called up to the national team in the same year.
In 2012, Pari formed an impromtu team with 2 of his friends and entered the Indian leg of the NBA 3-on-3 tournament. What started as a spur-of-the-moment decision would lead to them winning the national championships and him and a teammate being chosen to play an exhibition match in the NBA! On a team coached by NBA legend Lebron James, no less!! After the game, which took place on the sidelines of the 2013 All-Star Weekend, Pari’s incredulity was at its peak after receiving a congratulatory high-five from “King” James himself.
Akilan is employed by the Income Tax department.
#6 Aravind Arumugam
Date of Birth: 28/01/1991
Height: 6”6’ (198 cms)
Position: Power Forward
Aravind Arumugam is a member of Karnataka State basketball team and was integral in their 2014 victory over Singaporean club Singlap. Arumugam declared himself eligible for the 2013 NBA Draft as an Unrestricted Free Agent, but went undrafted. Arumugam is employed by Vijaya Bank.
#7 Akashdeep Hazra
Date of Birth: 01/07/1996
Height: 6”10’ (208 cms)
Position: Center
The 19-year-old from Burdwan, West Bengal reached his full height in the 10th standard. Hazra has been training at the Ludhiana Basketball Academy since 2011. Hazra’s father, a basketball player in the Indian Army, introduced his son to the game and took him to the trials for the Ludhiana Basketball Academy, who snatched him up without hesitation.
Hazra’s favourite player is Kevin Garnett and he is known for his quick footwork. He is employed by the Indian Railways.
#8 Gurvinder Singh Gill
Date of Birth: 21/01/1996
Height: 6”6’ (198 cms)
Position: Power Forward
Young Gurvinder Singh Gill, or Garry Gill, as he’s known, idolizes LeBron James. He will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2018.
#9 Vinay Kaushik
Date of Birth: 30/08/1991
Height: 6”2’ (188 cms)
Position: Forward
Vinay Kaushik played for American team SportsPower in the 9th All India Savio Cup held in Mumbai, in 2014. While on the team, he rubbed shoulders with Jahaziel Howard, brother of Dwight Howard. He is employed by the Income Tax department.
#10 Rajesh Prakash Uppar
Date of Birth: 20/01/1991
Height: 5”8’ (173 cms)
Position: Point Guard
Rajesh Kumar Uppar hails from Dharwad, Karnataka. He moved to Bengaluru to further his basketball ambitiona but lack of exposure and opportunities forced him to almost give up the sport. However, he was noticed by Rajkumar, an official in the Vijaya Bank basketball team who helped him gain permanent employment with the bank after playing for them for 2 years.
Uppar was part of the Indian team that won the 3x3 South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) championship, which was held at Colombo in August 2015.
#11 Siddhant Sanjay Shinde
Date of Birth: 15/06/1991
Height: 5”11’
Position: Guard
Sanjay Kumar Shinde is employed by the Indian Customs department.
#12 Vikas Kumar
Date of Birth: 13/11/1988
Height: 6”0’ (183 cms)
Position: Forward
Vikas Kumar is employed by the Haryana police.
Guess the Lakers players!
