Pranav Prince living his father's dreams

Son of a taxi driver in Alappuzha, Pranav Prince moved from a CBSE school to St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School to enable him to play basketball.

Pranav Prince has played for Kerala in the Under-19 national championship. 

Thirteen-year-old Pranav Prince is living his father’s dream. Prince, a taxi driver, from Alappuzha, wanted his only son to be a basketballer and he shifted him from a CBSE school to St. Joseph’s HSS School so that the boy could play basketball.

After four years, Pranav Prince has made his father proud by getting entry into the prestigious NBA Academy in New Delhi. Pranav Prince was selected from among 50 boys who attended the all-India trials which was held in Delhi early this month.

Read: Kerala women enter final of national junior basketball

"It is a dream for any upcoming player to be selected to the prestigious academy. During the NBA Street challenge event in Kochi I came first in the skill challenge. The NBA coaches were impressed with my performance and took my details and I was confident that I would be selected for the final trials. Just before the final selection trials in Delhi I practised hard with my coach Manoj Xavier and it put in good stead during the selection,’’ said Pranav who was among the eight boys selected from the final trials.

"At the trails I wasn’t nervous but I was in fact confident as I had attended the final trials last year and knew the nuances..There were taller and bigger players in the trails but I had faith in my ability and I think I did well in the trials and wasn’t surprised when I was selected. I am thankful to my coach Manoj Xavier and my father Prince who wanted me to be a basketball player,’’ he said. 

"Pranav is technically very sound. He gained height quickly but it didn’t effect his movements. His footwork is excellent and he dribbles and shoots well. He plays as point guard and is good feeder. He doesn't mind working hard and is very dedicated," said Manoj Xavier.

Pranav was a fast learner and height was his asset. He soon made it into the district sub-junior team and at the State sub junior state championship in 2014, he was chosen as the best player. Pranav represented Kerala in the Sub-junior nationals in 2014 and in the next year captained the side. Pranav also represented Kerala schools in Youth school nationals and played for Kerala in the Under-19 national championship. 

And the selection to NBA Academy is a big break for this youngster who, if he fullfills his promise, will become one of the best players in the country.