“Cricket Is India’s Passion, But Basketball’s Time Will Come”: NBA Legend Vlade Divac

Cricket may be India’s undisputed sporting giant, but NBA legend Vlade Divac believes basketball has the potential to grow into something much bigger in the country. The former Sacramento Kings star visited New Delhi on Friday and left deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and talent shown by young Indian players.

Divac attended the ‘Freedom 250 Slam Dunk Experience’ at the American Centre, an event organised by the US Embassy and Sacramento Kings . More than 100 children from schools and basketball academies across the capital participated in dribbling, passing, and shooting sessions with the NBA great, who encouraged them with smiles, high fives, and words of motivation.

The 58 year old basketball icon said India’s huge youth population could become its biggest strength in developing the sport. “India should be a power in the world if they do the right thing,” Divac said after watching the children play.

He was especially impressed with the girls participating in the event and praised their shooting skills and confidence on the court. While acknowledging that cricket remains India’s most popular sport , Divac said basketball can still create its own identity with the right support and infrastructure.

India has already had brief NBA representation through Sim Bhullar and Satnam Singh in 2015. Divac expressed hope that many more Indian players could eventually reach the world’s biggest basketball league .

Reflecting on his own life, Divac said basketball transformed him from a young boy in Yugoslavia into an international athlete. He added that sport has the power to unite people , especially during difficult times, and believes basketball can inspire and connect young Indians in the same way.