Happy shooting the hoops

The closest this strapping 22-year-old from Lucknow comes to J K Rowling is when he aims at the hoops. Not the three in Potter8217;s quidditch, just one; but the Railways player comes very close to scoring each time. The buzz at the ongoing Basketball Nationals here surrounds this man8217;s remarkable ability to take the outside shots.

What brings him within the domain of Dumbledore8217;s famous decree, though, is a string of choices that Rai exercised as a youngster and continues to, at the prime of his career as a hoopster.

Growing up watching his father turn out for the occasional police match-up on cement courts in Uttar Pradesh, Rai may well have inherited the dribble for a hobby. Academics, for sure, was a priority with a government job to aim at then. He chose instead to devote his time to zeroing in on the rim.

8216;8216;It was a risk, but there was this charm watching ONGC8217;s pointman Suresh those days and, after being selected for the India juniors camp, I had made up my mind,8217;8217; Rai says.

The juicy carrot was a motorcycle to replace his bicycle when Rai8217;s father reckoned his son stood a chance of making it to the Indian colts squad. That was the easiest decision to make, the highly-rated forward says. 8216;8216;He would have gladly accepted if I8217;d focused on my studies, but I was only too happy to fall for the bait of the bike.8217;8217;

Rai8217;s pedigree and talent ensured that hoopster-hubs around UP 8212; notably scouters from DLW, the state champions 8212; began showing interest while he was still in his teens. 8216;8216;They were good offers financially,8217;8217; Rai insists, 8216;8216;but I knew if I wanted to play the best game, I needed to move around with the best. Western Railway had a very good team two years ago, so I left home right away when the opening came up.8217;8217;

Rai8217;s all-round game 8212; he is swift on court, has the power-game and the physique to back it and is unstoppable if the three-pointers get going 8212; meant that Rai would hardly be left on the bench. 8216;8216;But there were faults, my footwork while shooting was all wrong. So I decided to work with Ramkumar Sir, and put in the extra hours daily,8217;8217; he says.

Practicing harder against a simulated chirpy gang of defenders, Rai emerged as India8217;s best possible shooter.

A decade in Indian basketball can turn the biggest optimist cynical 8212; such is the lack of growth here. Sure enough, Rai soon began receiving the most dismal advice. 8216;8216;You have a good job, just play, why do you have to work hard8230;8217;8217; Rai8217;s response? An added hour of shooting practice at the courts.

For all his shooting and the phenomenal points he collects in a match, Rai is no rage on the courts, neither a quintessential crowd-man. 8216;8216;Again a matter of choice. I never wanted to be flamboyant and followed my coach Ramkumar who went about doing his job and never engaged in needless antics. I8217;m more in the quiet Reggie Miller mode,8217;8217; Rai says of his Pacers idol.

The first shy at the ring for long shooters sets the tone for the rest of the match, and the 68217;3 footer confesses he needs to get into the zone to gain that confidence. 8216;8216;But there was this match when I couldn8217;t get even one in for the first half. I could have asked the coach to be benched, rather than be heckled by that crowd. But I decided I8217;ll take shots till I hit them right after the break. 8217;8217; It wasn8217;t his power or ability, just the choice that helped him win that game.

A MATTER OF CHOICE
Some other hoopsters who could have done the run-of-the mill stuff but chose to play ball instead

S Robinson: Played football for a long time before his 68217;78217;8217; frame caught attention. Also dreamt of the Navy, for patriotic reasons

Mihir Pandey: Was a decent college cricketer, but was told his height deterred his stance. Childhood ambition : becoming a doctor

Shabeer Ahmed: Visited the cricket grounds of Karur and fancied a career in fast-bowling. Fell to the persuasion of basketball school scouters

Sambhaji Kadam: Was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father, a wrestler in an akhada. Chose to steal possession on wooden courts instead