India's Palpreet Singh Brar has taken one step closer to the NBA after being drafted by the Long Island Nets of NBA's D-League or 'Development League'. He becomes the second Indian after Satnam Singh to feature in the D-league.
The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league's research and development laboratory. The Long Island Nets are an affiliate of the NBA team Brooklyn Nets.
"I called my father first after I got the news. This achievement is for India and the whole of Punjab," Palpreet said. "I am happy with the efforts I have put in and I will continue to work hard with Long Island Nets as this is just the beginning. I can't say I will reach somewhere in the next few years, but I will give my 100%."
Two other Indians Amjyot Singh and Amrinder Singh were also a part of the drafting process, but 21 year-old Palpreet- the youngest of the lot - was the only one who was picked at the draft.
With the 80th pick of the 2016 #DLeagueDraft, the @LongIslandNets select Palpreet Singh out of India! pic.twitter.com/JyicqhM5nJ
- NBA D-League (@nbadleague) 30 October 2016
The 6 feet 9 inches tall power forward didn't play for India at the recently concluded FIBA Asia Challenge Championship as he was training at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan to get in shape for the draft. Amjyot Singh and Amrinder Singh represented India at the FIBA Asia Challenge as India impressed by beating a higher ranked China side en route to reaching the quarterfinals.
"I think the training in New York helped a lot, but I want to play for my country as well. I thought training here would eventually make me a better player which will help me making the national team in the future."
When asked if he followed any players in the NBA, he said, "I don't follow any player in the NBA. I just want to play my natural game. I just want to be Palpreet."
Palpreet thanked his coach, Dr. Sankaran Subramanian - who has spent 43 years as a basketball coach in India - for having a huge impact on his career.
"I am very lucky to be coached by Subramanian sir. He has developed so many players. India is privileged to have had someone like him". Subramanian was the coach of the Punjab state team, the director and chief of the Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) in Punjab.
Palpreet will now aim to make it to the 10 player roster that will represent the Long Island Nets before the start of the season. The NBA D-League's 16th season starts on November 11 with a record 22 teams. The teams will hold training camps beginning on Oct. 31, and will trim their rosters to 10 players on November 10.