Indian Basketball players have performed impressively in several international basketball tournaments, including the Olympic Games. India has produced a significant number of talented basketball players who have garnered acclaim in the international sphere. Basketball has been a popular game in India since its inception and is mainly played in the high schools, colleges and universities in India. Basketball is regarded as one of the most widely played games in the country. The game started its journey in India several years back and has grown in popularity. The Indian basketball team (also known as the Young Cagers) is currently ranked fiftieth in the world. India took part in the 1980 Summer Olympics, held at the Olympics Indoor Stadium and finished at the 12th position. Apart from the Olympic Games, the Indian Basketball players also took part in the other prestigious international and regional tournaments like the FIBA Asian Champions Cup.
Gulam Abbas Moontasir
Gulam Abbas Moontasir is considered a remarkable basketball player of India. He was born on 7th January, 1942 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He started playing the game of basketball at a very tender age of 9 years. In the year 1960, Gulam Abbas Moontasir made his international debut in Mumbai in an exhibition match played against Australia. He also represented the country in the Quadrangular held in Colombo in the year 1964. He was the captain of the Indian team in the Asian Basketball Championship that was held in Bangkok in the year 1969 and 1975. He was given the Arjuna Award in India in the year 1970 for his remarkable performances in this sport.
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi is a professional Indian basketball player. He plays for the Young Cagers that compete at the FIBA Asia Champions tournament. Bhriguvanshi has already competed in most of prestigious Asia`s basketball events, including the Super Steung Cup International Invitational Basketball Tournament, the Stankovic Cup, etc.
Jennifer Paes
Jennifer Paes is a former Indian basketball player. She captained the Indian national basketball team in the year 1982, and she also represented India in 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Jennifer Paes is the mother of Leander Paes, Indian tennis player.
Riyaz Uddin
Another well known Indian basketball player is Riyaz Uddin. Born on June 22, 1981, he plays for the national basketball team of India.
Khushi Ram
Khushi Ram was a basketball player in the independent India. It was he who represented India at many international and national competitions. Khushi Ram was awarded the highest sporting honour, the Arjuna award in 1967.
Divya Singh
Divya Singh is an Indian basketball player who has captained the Indian women"s national basketball team. Her leadership qualities and game skills have been extraordinary. Her academic strength and personality also deserve a special mention. She has led successfully in the Indian women"s basketball team at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Geethu Anna Jose
Geethu Anna Jose is an Indian female basketball player, born on 30th June 1985 in Kottayam District of Kerala and played with the WNBA teams, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks and San Antonio Silver Stars.
Ram Kumar
Ram Kumar represented the Indian national basketball team at several international championships. He was also the captain of Indian national basketball team from 1991 to 1995. Ram Kumar is mainly known for his impeccable 3 point shooting.
Sozhasingarayer Robinson
Sozhasingarayer Robinson is a professional Indian basketball player, presently a representative of Tamil Nadu Basketball Team. He grew up in Gujarat. He is a well known name in the arena of Indian Basketball and has played professional Basketball for a number of teams.
Ajmer Singh
Ajmer Singh is hailing from Karnal District of Haryana and was awarded the highest sporting honour, Arjuna Award, in the year1982.
Some other notable Indian Basketball players are Sarabjit Singh, Khushi Ram, Gurdial Singh, Hari Dutt, Gulam Abbas Montasir, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Surender Kataria, Anil Punj, Hanuman Singh, T. Vijayaraghawan, Om Prakash, Prashanti Singh, Akanksha Singh, Ajmer Singh, Radhey Shyam, Suman Sharma, S.S. Cheema, Parminder Singh, Ram Kumar and others.
These Indian basketball players have made the country proud with their remarkable performances in national as well as international basketball tournaments.
