NBA announces talent hunt that could act as pathway for its India academy

Mumbai: The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the ACG Worldwide Group (ACG) on Saturday announced that ACG-NBA Jump, the country’s national talent search programme, would act as the exclusive pathway to the proposed NBA Academy India to be set up in April next year. The programme, that commenced here today, would go on to provide the top 24 prospects with scholarships and training at the recently announced elite basketball training centre, a media release said. [caption id=“attachment_3138430” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Shawn Marion poses with kids in Mumbai. PTI[/caption] NBA Champion Shawn Marion attended the launch event at the Kalina University indoor court to encourage participation and share his knowledge of the game with the prospects. “The ACG NBA Jump programme, a feeder to NBA Academy India, has potential and a great opportunity for all the kids here in India. I wish we had a similar setup when we grew up,” said Marion, who was in Mumbai for the event. “I wish I can be here for the entire programme and see through the talent that comes through. I wish the participants in India make the most of the opportunity created by ACG and NBA. India has a bright future of basketball players,” he added. “The top 24 prospects from this year’s programme will have the opportunity to receive full scholarships and NBA-level coaching at NBA Academy India when it is scheduled to open in April. I encourage players between the ages of 13 and 17 to visit www.acgnbajump.com to learn more about India’s largest national basketball talent search to date,” said NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco. The talent hunt would include open tryouts in six cities – Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana and Mumbai –to spot the top 40 prospects who would advance to the next phase. The second phase of the programme, a three-day national training camp, would culminate with the selection of the 24 prospects who would receive scholarships and training at NBA Academy India, an elite basketball training centre to be based in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). It is the first of its kind in the country and the fifth elite training centre globally which will be fully funded by the NBA, the release added.