Satnam Singh Bhamara becomes first Indian basketball player to be drafted into the NBA

Satnam Singh Bhamara was picked by the Dallas Mavericks at the 2015 NBA Draft on Friday

In a historic day for Indian sport, Satnam Singh Bhamara has become the first basketball player from the country to be drafted into the National Basketball Asociation (NBA). In the 2015 NBA Draft that was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Friday, the 19-year-old from Chawke village in Punjab was picked up by 2011 NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks as the 52nd pick out of the 60 picks, thus becoming the first player from the country to be chosen by a leading NBA team.

With the 52nd pick in the 2015 #NBADraft, we select Satnam Singh Bhamara! #MavsDraft2015 http://t.co/dzh0x1XVsI pic.twitter.com/avhY0S5nzD

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 26, 2015

Prior to the Draft, Satnam had done the pre-draft workout with seven teams – Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trailblazers – and had impressed many coaches with his height and build.

He had been undergoing intense training at the IMG-Reliance academy in Florida for the last 5 years, thanks to a scholarship provided to him in 2010. That opportunity to train under some experienced coaches has well and truly paid off now, and the dreams of not only Satnam but also millions of basketball fans in India have come true today.

Family of Satnam Singh are elated after he became the 1st Indian to be drafted into NBA http://t.co/y4rolaZrQH pic.twitter.com/Jb5p5QRRse

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) June 26, 2015

Although not Indian-born, Sim Bhullar declared himself at the NBA Draft in 2014 but went undrafted. Despite that, though, he represented the Sacramento Kings in the 2014 NBA Summer League.

Responding to the fantastic news, former Indian basketball coach Scott Flemming also tweeted his congratulatory wishes, saying that Satnam would learn a great deal at Dallas. Amidst the crisis that Indian basketball currently finds itself in, Flemming welcomed the positive news for the sport in the country.

Satnam to the Mavs! Great place for him to be with their coaching staff...front office.

— Scott Flemming (@scottwflemming) June 26, 2015

This is something really positive for India Basketball during some tough times...really proud of you Satnam!

— Scott Flemming (@scottwflemming) June 26, 2015

Here's a video of the historic moment for Indian basketball.