Published 22:46 IST, July 24th 2020
India's Harsimran Kaur sees San Diego as opportunity to finally unleash natural game
The talented Harsimran Kaur became only the third Indian female hoopster to receive a Division I basketball scholarship. She lays down her plans to excel in US
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Following in her far’s footsteps, 17-year-old Harsimran Kaur has been working towards achieving her goal to play in WNBA. Yet, when reigning NBA Academy MVP first heard about National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), she was convinced that she will never be able to achieve such a feat. After years of training coupled with scholarship offers from Division 1 colleges, Kaur could slowly see her dream turn into reality as Indian hoopster recently committed to San Diego University in US.
With that big leap, Harsimran Kaur becomes only third Indian female player to receive a Division I basketball scholarship. Despite returning from a rigorous training session on Thursday, 6’3” player from Punjab gleefully shared challenges she has set for herself before she moves to Florida to attend Central Pointe Academy for her final high school year. Excited about her upcoming endeavours, Kaur is well aware of competition that will greet her in ar country.
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“When I get to university, I will have players from everywhere who are really best. I am working on every part of my body to prepare myself to compete with those players. It is a little difficult to play and compete with m, but playing with m every day, and kwing ir tradition, how y prepare ir system for a game is thing I am going to learn," says Harsimran via an exclusive telephonic interview with Republic World.
Kaur admitted to feeling nervous as numerous obstacles stand in her way but she relishes challenges thrown at her. Looking forward to playing in an extremely competitive environment in US, lanky hoopster believes she will reach her ‘full potential’ as a player at San Diego. After all, point guard wants to enhance her natural game.
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A fan of n-restrictive American style of play, Indian athlete hopes to try all positions on court. "I prefer American basketball because we don’t have to play a fixed position. If I am 6-3 or if I am 6-4, I have to play like a point guard, a shooter and a forward also.” Kaur explains.
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teenr, who is a rising basketball sensation in India, has represented country in various events all over world. “ international camps of NBA academy mostly gave me a lot of experience. American, European, Australian and African players all have ir own style of play. It’s all mixed up and has really helped me get more competitive with m. It makes me able to compete with m and play at highest level in high school in Florida and next year for San Diego.”
Her invaluable experience with international basketball has taught her mental patience required to survive as an athlete. She recalls t having patience to throw ball on and off court in her early days, and how both Indian and international camps elevated her skills to ar level.
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Indian hoopster is currently focusing on her muscle gain so she can efficiently play as a point guard – fast and really quick. She usually plays as a power forward, but wants to play as a point guard in future. “That is my goal, to be an all-rounder and play every position on court,” she says.
Kaur’s far, Sukhdev Singh, often teaches her ways to play more explosively. Interestingly, her far’s dream to play internationally was put on hold after his unfortunate ACL injury. “My far is very into basketball as you kw, and y really want to see me in WNBA. He was one who was so happy,” recalls Kaur when she revealed her decision to play abroad to family.
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Training amid ongoing COVID-19 crisis
COVID-19 crisis has inevitably affected her training, as players are t allowed to play competitively during quarantine. However, it gives her time to concentrate on her individual skills. Kaur jokes about watching too much Netflix while learning to cook traditional Punjabi dishes with her mor as she practices daily to learn how to dunk before her high school begins.
“I practise at training centres in our city that are w open. I started dunking last month, though it is still t done. I want to dunk before I go to high school. It is my own challenge.”
Kaur expresses concern over adjusting after quarantine, kwing it is difficult for anyone who plays tournaments regularly. She has represented India for 3x3 Asian Championships held in Jakarta in August 2019 and is among four Indian players who were invited to first Next-Generation program at NCAA Women’s Final Four in Tampa (April 2019).
She is also first Indian from NBA Academies Women’s Program and first female prospect from outside of Australia to attend NBA Global Academy, Canberra (2019). In October 2019, Kaur was named MVP for third NBA Academies Women’s Program camp held in Mumbai. This February, she travelled to Chicago for Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, which was followed by ar stint at NBA Global Academy.
Her short yet illustrious career in international basketball alerted several Division I universities who were willing to offer her full scholarships for class of 2021. After a satisfactory interaction with coaches, Indian hoopster decided to join San Diego University. Though she is yet to speak with coaches at Central Pointe Academy, she already attends weekly meetings with San Diego university’s staff.
“ interaction with coaches are fun. I usually have meetings every week with entire staff (academic and basketball), and it is interesting to get to kw ir own stories. y introduce new elements every week and always inquire about her plans, well-being and future aspirations," she concludes.
NBA academy also sends over new training material, which she frequently works on. Meanwhile, Kaur is currently trying to fix an appointment for her student visa, which is delayed due to pandemic. Her high school is scheduled to begin on September 15.
(Im courtesy: Harsimran Kaur Instagram – @h.s.dhami23)
22:42 IST, July 24th 2020