Bathinda: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that India will soon have access to another world class American product - National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball.

Speaking at the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, Texas, Trump mentioned his interest in the high-profile basketball league, which will be making its India debut on October 4 and 5 with a couple of pre-season games between Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers.

“And very soon India will have access to another world-class American product: NBA basketball,” Trump told the crowd at the event.

“Am I invited, Mr. Prime Minister?” Trump asked, with Modi appearing to assent. “I may come. Be careful, I may come,” he quipped as Prime Minster Modi laughed.

While the October 4 game is reserved for over 3,000 youth under the Reliance Foundation Junior Programme, the one on the next day is open to spectators.

Barnala’s Satnam Singh Bhamara, who became the first Indian to be picked in an NBA draft in 2015 thinks this is going to be a pathbreaking move for the Indian basketball.

Speaking to TOI, 7-foot-2 inch tall hoopster said “It is a huge moment for us. It will inspire youngsters to take up the the sport. It will go a long way in producing talented cagers after seeing the legends of the game.”

Satnam has played in NBA’s minor D-league for Mavericks’ affiliates Texas Legends. The next season he did not start any game. He was used in eight, but got only 5.4 minutes per game. Satnam was picked for a scholarship at the IMG Academy in 2010, when he was just 15, the NBA had begun basketball operations in India and was looking to make inroads. The Punjab teenager was their best advertisement.

Muktsar Sahib’s Palpreet Singh Brar become the second cager to walk into the world’s best basketball league. He made the NBA’s minor league — the D-League — when he was picked by Long Island Nets, the NBA development league affiliated to the Brooklyn Nets.

“I am super excited. I am buzzing with the announcement that NBA is going make its debut in India. The budding hoopsters will have a lot to learn from the world class athletes,” said Palpreet Singh Brar.

Chandigarh’s Amjyot Singh is the third Indian player to be drafted in the NBA G- league team Oklahoma City Blue in 2017. He has also played for Wisconsin Herd.

