NBA Academy India set to play in European Youth Basketball League

The NBA Academy India will be taking part in Stage II of the European Youth Basketball League that commences in Szolnok, Hungary from January 9 to 12. The side will be playing four games in the tourney, with the first encounter being held against Skuru Basket on January 9, 2020, while their second match will be played a day later against Independents Basketball France. The Indians will then take on BC Kolin and Szolnoki Kosarlabda Akademia on January 11 and 12 respectively.

Earlier in Stage I in September last year, the NBA Academy India had participated in the league, eventually winning one game and losing three. They had gone down to Nyiregyhaza Blue Sharks in a close encounter, losing 80-84 and continued their winless streak in the next two games as well. The NBA India were beaten by the Basket Rimini Crabs and SBK Junior Levice 47-66 and 64-75 respectively.

However, they managed to turn the tide in the last game as they got the better of C.S. UBT Cluj Napoca 80-56 in a clinical showing.

Pranav Prince was the star of the NBA India Academy in the tournament, leading the side's scoring to average 15.3 points per game and was also the top rebounder with 8.8 per match.

Earlier in September last year, the Academy had emerged the champions in the NBA Academy College Tournament Championship, with Prince winning the tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and Lokendra Singh ending up in the All-Tournament Team.

The NBA Academy develops young basketball players from all over the world, guiding them through the grass-root level to the elite stage. The NBA Academy India was launched in May 2017 at the Jaypee Greens Sports Complex in New Delhi by the NBA. It identifies talented prospects through an extensive talent search, offering them training and scholarships the the Academy to help fulfill the dreams of the young stars.