Mumbai: Palpreet Singh, the winner of National Finals of ACG-NBA Jump, India’s first national basketball talent search programme, signed NBA Development League contract. The 21-year-old will now become eligible for selection in the NBA D League Draft, which will be held in October.

The 6ft 9in hoopster, who has been training at the New York Athletic Club with coach Ross Burn in Manhattan, said he has trained hard and is confident of getting picked by a D League team in the draft. “I am happy with the efforts I have put in and I will continue to work hard and make the most of this opportunity because not many get such a chance.”

Palpreet, who had impressed NBA champion Brian Shaw in the national finals of ACG NBA Jump held in the last week of February, was part of the national tryouts held on August 14, 2016 in New York. Over 200 pro basketball hopefuls exhibited their talent in front of NBA D-League player personnel executives, coaches, and industry scouts that day.

Palpreet sounded confident despite knowing he had competed against over 200 other NBA aspirants. “The competition is tough but it is great to know you are competing with the best to play in the best league in the world.”

Palpreet Singh was discovered as part of an NBA talent search in India. There are more NBA talent searches planned in India and other countries as part of the league's ongoing international initiatives. The NBA is devoted to identifying and developing talent abroad both on and off the floor.