Chandigarh/Bengaluru/New York, 12th October, 2016: India’s most talented international basketball player Amjyot Singh Gill is all set to soar higher. After dominating in the Asian circuit over the last two years, the power forward from Chandigarh has signed the standard NBA Development League player contract making him eligible to get drafted into the D-League. The ‘D League’ or ‘Development League’ is a key stepping stone towards making a cut to the NBA itself, the most gruelling, competitive and popular professional basketball league in the world.
If Amjyot gets drafted he will have to report to the team within a day or two for an 8-10 day training camp. All players, including Amjyot will be assessed on various physical (such as strength and conditioning) and game parameters (individual and team based basketball skills such as shooting, defence, rebounding, special awareness, passing etc.). If Amjyot suitably impresses then he has a chance to become an official D-League player in any of the 22 D-League teams currently affiliated to their parent franchise in the NBA. From thereon, the sky is the limit for Amjyot, who could then be “Called-Up” to the parent NBA franchise anytime in the upcoming season on short 10-day contracts or for longer durations. Apart from being a stepping stone to the NBA, playing in the D-League in the long term also opens up opportunities in other elite leagues in Europe, Australia, South America or China.
Amjyot expressed confidence and excitement at flying out to New York for the draft. “I’m both nervous and excited. I am motivated with the desire to do whatever it takes to make it to the NBA. Whatever happens, this is an opportunity for me to get exposure and understand the workings of the League.”
Over the last three seasons around 15% of NBA D-League athletes (or an average of 39 players per season) have received a Call-Up to the NBA.
“This is a big step forward for both Amjyot as well as Indian basketball. He has earned the right to be in the D-League draft based purely on his performances with the Indian national team and professionally in Japan. If called up, we have no doubt he can make a splash in the D-League, which would in turn open a world of opportunity for him,” said Vishnu Ravi Shankar, Amjyot’s manager and Business Head at Pursuit, the talent management entity that represents him.
About Amjyot Singh Gill
The 6ft 9inch Gill made the entire Indian sports fraternity take notice when he slammed home a powerful two handed alley-oop dunk during India’s historic win over China in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup. Since then, the 24-year-old “Sultan of Swat” has grown from strength to strength. As a “stretch four” Amjyot is a matchup nightmare, able to post up, rebound, block shots, handle the ball and score from the outside.
The versatile power forward went on a scoring spree during India’s memorable quarterfinal run in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship for Men, proving himself to be among Asia’s finest hoopsters. 2016 proved to be an equally significant year, as he, along with fellow Punjab baller, Amritpal Singh, made the brave decision of moving to Japan. The duo led their Tokyo Excellence team to the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) Championship. Amjyot in particular, averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game over 35 games, playing 21 minutes per game.
Most recently, Amjyot had starred at the FIBA Asia Challenge, posting tournament high numbers in various key statistical categories. Amjyot was number 1 overall in freethrow shooting (90.3%) hitting 28/31 freethrows. His 8.3 rpg was 3rd among forwards and 8th overall. His 2 double doubles (i.e. when a player crossed double digits in any two statistical categories in a single game) was 3rd among forwards and 7th overall. His 12.8 ppg was 6th best among forwards. His .6 blocks per game is 3rd best among forwards. His +14.1 effpg is 6th best among forwards. His 2.4 apg is 5th best among forwards. His 37% from the field is 10th among forwards.
Interestingly, Amjyot is also part of a 3×3 side from Japan (Team Hamamatsu), comprising Indian origin players, that has qualified to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour finals to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 27-28 October. The 3×3 World Tour Finals is a very prestigious event that is the equivalent of a World Cup for 3×3 basketball. Amjyot will be competing in this event before flying to the US for the D-League draft.
