Shawn Marion: 'ACG-NBA Jump is a great start for India'

Shawn Marion is excited about the opening more basketball academies, schools and centres for coaching in India.

Shawn Marion was a part of the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA programme activities followed by the inauguration of the ACG-NBA Jump programme on December 3.

Shawn Marion, a four-time NBA All-Star and the 2011 NBA champion, came to India on a five-day visit on November 30.

During his stay in Mumbai, the NBA legend was a part of the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA programme activities followed by the inauguration of the ACG-NBA Jump programme on December 3.

The Jr. NBA programme focuses on inspiring students from private schools across the country to get involved in basketball and show their skills and talent.

The ACG-NBA Jump programme is also another talent hunt, which aims to select the best 24 boys from across the country to be given scholarships to NBA's first basketball academy in India.

During a telephonic interview with Sportstar , Shawn had this to say about his first India trip : "I was really excited to come to India, it’s really an amazing experience for me to interact with such young talent."

On being asked about the change in tactics, game play and team formations over the past 10 years in NBA , Shawn said, "Now the game is played with a small ball and usually now teams prefer three guards and two big wing players on the sides or sometimes two guards, a wing player and two forwards."

Shawn's best NBA season was in 2005-06 for Phoenix Suns. The only NBA player to be ranked in the top 20 in each department, in terms of points (per game 21.8), rebounds (per game 11.8), steals (per game 2) and blocks (per game 1.8) he dedicated this season to records.

"Oh yes, that was a record year for me. I developed a more aggressive style and the players also helped me throughout the season, supporting me from both corners and creating chances, which paid off."

Shawn supports the idea of opening more basketball academies, schools and centres for coaching in India. On being asked if Indian players would start making their way to the NBA in future, he said, "These small training programmes like the ACG-NBA Jump is a great start for India and setting up of more training academies will provide more resources and opportunities for the up and coming talent. In future who knows what can happen, you never know."