'We have to catch up with a lot of countries': Flemming Presents Grave Picture of Indian Basketball

Indian basketball team he coach Scott Flemming mitted on Tuesday that country will have to improve by leaps and bounds in sport and asked his players to contribute to same by showcasing more discipline and cohesion. Flemming's team is preparing for India leg of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. 76th-ranked Indian team is currently placed at bottom of its group table, having lost to Kazakhstan and Iran.

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Scott Flemming On State of Indian Basketball

As hosts, India will be taking on Qatar (November 22) and Kazakhstan (November 25) here, and y will need to come up with an extraordinary performance to give mselves a chance of making it to final round.

"It has to catch up with a lot of countries. I'm from USA, where it has NBA basketball, and college basketball is huge," Flemming told PTI on sidelines of media-day event of Asia Cup Qualifiers.

"We're trying to get better here and not compare ourselves to or places. I think it's coming along. re's just a lot of things that are moving forward right now. I hope everybody is patient, even with this team.

"We're a very young team. We're mostly under 25 years old. We're better than we were. When se guys get to be in ir late 20s, around 30, we'll be somebody to reckon with. We can do it sooner than that.

"All we can do is try to reach our full potential. A lot of se players were in my NBA acemy. We've gotten a lot better, and it's just going to be better in future."

Flemming's ongoing stint is his second one with India, having previously coached side between 2012-15.

When asked if he sees any Indian player having potential to make it to National Basketball Association (NBA), he said y have a long way to go.

"I really can't say that now, but with se young players, you never know. I never want to limit what y can do.

"Until I see a certain level of player, you've got to realize that only 1 percent or less of US players ever make it to NBA. se are greatest players in world.

"Honestly, we're not re yet, but that's what we're striving for. I think at some point it will happen, but no predictions right now."

Indians are yet to win a medal in multi-sport events -- Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics -- and for that to happen, Flemming feels players will need to play with a lot more discipline.

"I preach to se guys all time, 'Let's narrow that gap'. president talked about being ranked 82nd (76th). We want to see that drop. We want to see that drop and be higher ranked.

"It's possible (to win medals at international tournaments), but it's going to come from discipline and players sticking with it and having a system of play. As I said, playing hard, playing toger, and putting team above ourselves will get us re," he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)