Published 17:00 IST, May 16th 2020

Indian-origin coach Roy Rana breaks the cricket mould to script Sacramento Kings journey

Sacramento Kings asst coach Roy Rana hopes to inspire coaches and players with his unique basketball tale. For him, coaching in NBA is an opportunity to learn.

Reported by: Shivam D
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Growing up as an Indian in rth America, Roy Rana never really associated himself with what most Indians around world take pride in – cricket. Many young sports fans would pay attention to ice hockey due to sport’s central role in national culture. But what really caught eye of Rana was neir cricket r hockey, it was hoops and buckets.

Rana’s obsession with game of basketball would often leave Indo-Canian family worried, to an extent where his mor feared her son’s mental state. “My mom always thought that re was something wrong with me because I was so passionate about basketball. I watched it, I played it, she was concerned I h some of mental health issue,” recalls Rana, who was born in Wolverhampton, England but soon moved to Toronto with his parents in 1969.

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Like most Indian families, Rana’s parents - from Punjab and Uttar Presh - were hoping to see him excel acemically, which he did, but he h or plans. Despite t flourishing as a point guard during his playing days, Canian was quick to switch to coaching. He began his coaching career in 1994 at CW Jeffery’s HS and six years later in 2000, Rana was named he coach of Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, a public high school in Toronto.

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However, eyebrows were raised again because one believed that he could become a basketball coach. “In my time coming up, people used to be like, ‘Why do you want to become a coach?’ It wasn't viewed as an opportunity to better yourself or to make a life for yourself, right? It was viewed as something that would be very concerning,” he says with a wry smile.

But it didn’t matter to him as Rana’s team were champions in 7 of 9 seasons played in Cana. A 256-39 record as he coach of ‘Saints’ was icing on cake. Records were broken even after Rana left team to join Ryerson University, where he me 5 National Championship appearances in 9 seasons, which included consecutive runners-up finishes in 2017 and 2018.

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“This passion for basketball was kind of unusual almost. I think because I entered through education, I entered through a profession, I don't think anybody realised that this was going to become what it did,” reasons Rana, who later led Cana’s junior men’s national team to win ir first-ever gold medal at any level at 2017 FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Rana also coached senior men’s team during FIBA 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

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American dream

big call was just on horizon for one of most decorated high school basketball coaches. After success of Nike Hoop Summit and with his rich experience at international, collegiate, and high school levels, rewned NBA he coach Luke Walton wasted time in ding ‘tinkerman’ to his staff at NBA franchise, Sacramento Kings.

With great power, comes greater responsibilities. That being said, transition from Ryerson to Sacramento wasn’t a surprise for Rana. In fact, he relishes challenge. “I'm getting a PhD in basketball at highest level of earnings,” he says. “I would say that if my jump was only from a Canian university to NBA it would have been pretty shocking. Probably biggest ‘aha!’ moment for me is just sheer size of operation in NBA. When I was with our Canian national team, operation was fairly small. Here, scale of everything is much bigger, group, amount of travel, it's just bigger. I try to help Luke (Walton) in my role to do best as we can,” 51-year-old Sacramento Kings assistant coach ds.

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But he doesn’t seem to be bogged down by pressure at all. “Pressure is such an interesting word. Probably most pressure I felt was when I was a high school coach because, to be honest, I felt like I was trying to prove myself. So for me, it was life or death. It was a mark on my career.”

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Meanwhile, Sacramento Kings got off to a slow start to NBA season but turned tide swiftly to hold a 7-3 (win-loss) record before season was suspended due to coronavirus. Assistant coach Rana reflected on his first NBA stint as a ‘rollercoaster ride’. “This is just one part of it. From start of season, getting on Drake's plane and flying into India for our first game. Starting season on a losing streak and n finding wins and battling through injuries and ar losing streak and n we me some roster changes,” explains Indo-Canian Roy Rana, whose Sacramento Kings stand a chance to reach NBA Playoffs for first time since 2006.

After years of overcoming doubts and stereos, Rana hopes his basketball story will inspire coaches and players. Over years, family showed immense support too. “w it's a source of great pride in my family and it's a source of great pride in our community,” he says. “I think in some ways that maybe if I have some small impact on people that are following me is that it's okay to aspire to be a coach. Coaching is a profession and it is an incredible profession. It is something that people can take pride in. mentality has changed tremendously amongst Indian community,” says Rana, who became first coach of colour and Indian descent to coach Canian national team.

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Talent identification critical for Indian basketball

Just a few months ago, Roy Rana travelled to India with Sacramento Kings during inaugural . experienced coach pointed out key aspects that will help growth of basketball in India.

“Talent identification is going to become critical and that has to happen probably at an earlier . I don't kw what it starts in India, but I think looking at 13 and 14-year-old kids and trying to see who has potential, matters. So I think re needs to be a coordinated, designed effort and re's alignment in teaching game across country. All of this is really about coaches. better you develop your coaches, better you develop your talents.”

Roy Rana expressed desire to stay connected to his homeland as he hopes to watch a cricket match someday, although basketball still remains his top priority. “Cricket is a huge commitment. In rth America, we want something in three hours. Maybe next time when I'm in India, somebody can take me to watch one of ODIs or T20s. I'd love to be able to go and experience that,” he concludes.

17:00 IST, May 16th 2020