2016 FIBA Challenge: 5 Indian basketball players to watch out for

India have a difficult road ahead in the FIBA Asia Challenge after being drawn against strong sides like the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

Standing at seven-feet-tall, Amritpal Singh is the tallest player in the Indian side. However, unlike last year, the Japan-based center has been given a much bigger role in the team. Coach Sat Prakash Yadav has made the big man his captain this time round.

Amritpal has indeed become one of the best Indian cagers in the modern era, honing his skills in the professional National Basketball Development League (NBDL) in Japan.

In fact, Amritpal and Amjyot Singh have gone on to become the first ever Indians to play basketball professionally in Japan. The duo, has helped Tokyo Excellence win the NBDL, earlier this year.

India will depend on the seven-foot cager to get both the offensive and the defensive rebounds.

Amjyot Singh

Amjyot Singh (Photo: FIBA Asia)

India’s star man Amjyot Singh is perhaps the most important cog in coach Yadav’s machinery. The six-foot-nine-inch framed hoopster came to the forefront of Indian basketball after he became the country’s highest scorer at last year’s FIBA Asia Championship, netting 20.9 points per game.

Amjyot, who also plays for Tokyo Excellence, has gained crucial experience on the Japanese professional circuit over the last year or so. Currently he is India’s biggest chance of scoring the big points.