Punjab-born cager adds another feather to her cap

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 23

Punjab-born 17-year-old cager Asmat Kaur Taunque added yet another feather to her cap. She signed with the California Institute of Technology, an NCAA Division III Institution in the USA.

Six-feet-tall Asmat, who spent her childhood in Chandigarh before playing for states such as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, was accepted into Lawrenceville School in August 2019, and was also part of the first two NBA Academy India Women’s Camps (May 2018 and January 2019) at the NBA Academy India facilities.

As per NBA stats, she is now fourth Indian women to have played college basketball in the NCAA circuits with the other three being Kavita Akula, Sanjana Ramesh and Harsimran Kaur (later in 2021).

The former captain of the Maharashtra U-16 squad, she was part of the India roster at the 2017 FIBA U-16 Women’s Asia Championship that clinched the Division B title.

“It’s a proud moment for me and my family,” said Asmat. She was among five girls who were selected from the NBA Academies Women’s Programme (India) in order to get a chance of becoming the first-ever WNBA player. Her grandparents and parents belong to Chandigarh.

“I stayed in Chandigarh for five years before moving to other states with my parents. My journey to take basketball as a hobby started from Chandigarh only,” said Asmat.

She said: “The buzzer beater shot in the U-16 FIBA ASIA Cup 2017 final against Malaysia is still the most favourite of my career. The NBA India programme has helped me in turning professional and bagged important scholarships. It’s a proud moment for me as its (NBA Academy) alum. I will be spending my next four years with the college team.”

She had the honour of getting trained under the supervision of Olympics gold medallist cagers Jennifer Azzi and Ruth Riley. Earlier, she received three scholarships (academics and sports) amounting to $1,65,000.

“Well, my ultimate aim is to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Performing in the college’s team will be a key breakthrough. It won’t be easy, but my experience at the NBA academy and my built will surely help me in proving my mettle. Bagging a contract with the WNBA will be the happiest day of my life,” said Asmat.