Geethu now in Women’s NBA sight

In an e-mail to BFI on June 16, Prince says: “I would love to have the chance to see Geethu play. I hear she is quite a talent. Who knows maybe WNBA? If you have DVDs of Geethu in action I would be very happy to help her with moving into higher professional realm.”

The BFI is making all arrangements to have footage of the ABC meet and earlier ones sent to Prince for his viewing and assessment, said BFI secretary Harish Sharma here today. Sharma said the BFI would also recommend the name of Divya Singh along with Geethu.

In fact, Sharma got a hint of it during the Incheon championship where the WNBA recruiters were watching Indian players with keen interest, particularly Geethu and Divya Singh. Even FIBA chief Bob Eliphinston, who was present during the meet, was all praise for the twosome and predicted a great future for the duo.

Having congratulated Sharma for the duo’s splendid performance, Eliphinston said he had some big surprise waiting for him, but did not reveal it there. Sharma believes the FIBA president may have pursued Geethu’s case with WNBA.

Even before that during the meet, the Chilean Basketball Fedeataion chief had extended an invitation to the two for a year to play and showcase their talent in the South American country. As per the invitation, the offer included all-paid-for trip to the Chilean capital and back with board and lodging apart from a “substantial” pocket allowance.

Even as the BFI was contemplating to write to the Railways, where the Kerala hoopster works, and to MTNL with whom Divya is in service, the national federation received a surprise offer from the WNBA recruit, who looks after the professional side for some time now, besides coaching in the university.

Coach Prince, who is also interested in a few other women players who are born between 1988 and 91, has asked for a list of details like names, height, date of birth, etc. The BFI is putting together a data of information on the possibilities of who could be the ideal choice.

Meanwhile, Geethu left for Melbourne yesterday to play in the Ringwood Club League for the next three months. Geethu was a rage and was adjudged the best player of the month after her first stint there last year. Incidentally, the Australian women are ranked the second best in the world behind the Brazilians.