Sanjana Ramesh, Pritish Kokate relay their experience as India's 'NBA virtual fans'

With fans unable to attend NBA games at Orlando bubble, league and Microsoft came toger with concept of 'NBA Virtual fan', which provides an interactive interface for fans to experience a game. As only 320 seats are available per game, one has to be quick to book ir courtside spot. With limited places available, Indian hoopsters Sanjana Ramesh and Pritish Kokate were able to experience LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks playoffs first-round Game 4 as virtual fans. 

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Sanjana Ramesh, Pritish Kokate witness Luka Doncic game-winner as an NBA Virtual fan

While talking to Republic World, Sanjana and Kokate detailed ir "real" experience as a virtual fan, sharing panel with Golden State Warriors icon Steph Curry and being able to witness Doncic game-winner and 43-point performance which propelled Mavericks to ir 135-133 overtime victory. Both student-athletes were supporting Doncic and Mavericks, who levelled series 2-2 before Tuesday's (Wednesday IST) Game 5. 

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"It is definitely a different experience because it's t just you watching a game on your own, it's like you are with a panel of or people watching this game," Sanjana explained, who was pleasantly surprised at Mavericks' dominant second-half. 18-year-old student-athlete, who is currently studying at  rth Arizona University, Flagstaff, couldn't keep excitement out of her voice while recounting her experience of being in same place, albeit virtually, as Steph Curry.

"I realise how crazy it is to be a virtual fan because Steph Curry actually made a surprise visit in game and just thought that he was in same place blew my mind," Sanjana added. Expecting Doncic to have last possession, Sanjana was "losing" her mind as Mavericks star shot ball. Due to camera focusing on Doncic only, both Sanjana and Kokate were unable to see shot go in but knew what happened by Doncic's elated reaction. 

" screen wasn’t covering  backcourt, so I just heard commentator say 'bang'," Kokate explained. Kokate, who is currently in Pune due to COVID-19 lockdown, wanted to support "underdogs", who are without a veteran and playoffs experience. teenr relayed that NBA Academy provided m with all required links to appear as an NBA Virtual fan. 

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Sanjana furr referred to it as "craziest experience, aware that t many people will get a chance to watch game as a virtual fan during pandemic. 2018 Basketball Without Borders Asia camp MVP was t sure that Mavericks would win game, especially after Kawhi Leonard's stunning first half. 

"It was really hard and y made a lot of errors and Kawhi Leonard was just a beast in first half. I was honestly thinking that he would take it all away. But I loved how Dallas Mavericks just picked up second half."

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Sanjana spoke about her training in USA, which has helped her grow as am "overall" player. Coupled with facilities provided in States, university took her "game to next level", said Indian teenr. In 2018, she became second Indian to receive an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.

Sanjana has previously captained India's U16 Girls squad to an unbeaten record in Division B of FIBA U16 Asia Cup. She has also attended NBA Academies Women's Program camp at NBA Academy India in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

Though quarantine has put a pause on her season, Chennai-born hoopster has continued her training. "I feel very comfortable because we have proper methods to keep places clean so that we can all be safe. It really helps during this time as t a lot of people get that opportunity to be safe and play at same time. I am really happy that I do," Sanjana explained. 

Kokate, on or hand, is preparing for his SATs, harbouring a dream to play in NBA. While his practice was halted due to lockdown, lanky teenr continues to train according to NBA Academy's guidelines.

As quarantine rules have been eased, Kokate has taken to practice shooting regularly at a nearby court. He was one of eight players selected in 2018 to play as a student-athlete at NBA Academy India. Like Sanjana, he too has participated in  Basketball without Borders Asia 2018 and has represented India in European Youth Basketball League St 1 & 2  

(Im credits: NBA, AP, Pritish Kokate Instagram)