Aim is to play in the WNBA, says Punjab’s Harsimran

Kolkata, November 4 

Close on the heels of being invited to participate in a multi-week training camp from November 7 to 24 at the NBA Global Academy at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra, Punjab’s Harsimran Kaur said her biggest aim was to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the long run.

Harsimran, 16, became the first prospect from the NBA Academies Women’s Program and the first female prospect from outside of Australia to attend the NBA Global Academy. Harsimran was named MVP at the third NBA Academies Women’s Program camp held in Mumbai last month. “My biggest aim is to play in the WNBA. I am looking to get a scholarship at a good university in USA,” Harsimran said. “I have a few offers, but I want to join a university that has a good position in the NCAA league. Therefore, I am waiting for an opportunity where I can show my skills in the NCAA League,” she said. 

Harsimran has represented India at multiple events, including the 3x3 Asian Championships held in Jakarta in August. 

Harsimran was also one of the four Indian girls invited to the first Next Generation program at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Tampa in April. This was followed by her participation in Basketball Without Borders Asia in Tokyo this summer.

“It’s a big opportunity for me and I am very excited about the NBA Global Academy because I will get a chance to play with new players and train in a new environment,” she said. 

Harsimran said she took to the sport because of her father who could not fulfil his ambitions of playing basketball because of an injury. “My mother was an international volleyball player, but she had to leave the sport because of her job. My father played basketball and I used to watch him train and play,” she said. — IANS