Satnam Singh Bhamara creates history, becomes first Indian to be drafted by a NBA team

The historic feat is a culmination of five years the freakishly tall and stunningly hardworking teen has spent at the IMG Academy at Florida sharpening his skills in an environment he has slowly acclimatised to – knowing not an iota of English nor having ever been in a big city before the age of 15.

While this may be seen as a marketing stunt by the Mavericks who play at the American Airlines Centre (with a Yao Mingesque effect as was seen after Houston Rockets picked him), amidst a large Indian-origin population, what might have pipped the scales in his favour for the Rick Carlisle-coached side is the presence of Scott Fleming, who was hired by them to work as an assistant for their affiliate National Basketball Development League (NBDL) team Texas Legends from the 2010-11 season. Satnam, who inherited the vertical advantage from his father and grandmother – started out at the Ludhiana academy where he was coached in fundamentals, but his mobility has been worked upon at Brandenton. However, the youngster is known for his excellent work ethic, something that Fleming would’ve had good words to say about.

Satnam had seven pre-draft workouts but coach Fleming, a respected voice in scouting and junior development, held enough sway over Mavericks, to prod them to pick the Indian. Satnam though is expected to work on his game further in the developmental league (D-League).