NBA's Shawn Marion launches talent hunt programme

Distinguished NBA player Shawn Marion attended the launch of NBA-ACG Jump, a talent hunt programme to find a select pool of players for scholarships and coaching at NBA’s academy in India in Delhi.

Shawn Marion (left) visited the Kalina University Indoor Basketball Court in Mumbai to interact with aspirants.

Distinguished NBA player Shawn Marion attended the launch of NBA-ACG Jump, a talent hunt programme to find a select pool of players for scholarships and coaching at NBA’s academy in India in Delhi. Marion interacted with aspirants at the Kalina University Indoor Basketball Court and shared his knowledge of the sport.

The talent hunt will eventually select 24 players in two phases. There will be open tryouts in six cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi and Ludhiana - to select 40 players, who will undergo another test at the national training camp of three days.

Watch: >Shawn Marion: 'I Can’t See Any Reason For NBA Players Not Coming From India'

“The top 24 prospects from this year’s program will have the opportunity to receive full scholarships and NBA-level coaching at NBA Academy India when it is scheduled to open in April,” NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco said.

“The ACG NBA Jump program, a feeder to NBA Academy India has potential and a great opportunity for all the kids here in India. I wish we had a similar setup when we grew up. But seriously in a country of billions this effort is like a small scratch. The kids here have some skills and their aggression is very impressive,” Marion said.

“I wish the participants in India make the most of the opportunity created by ACG and NBA. India has a bright future of basketball players,” he added.