FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifying Tournament: Multiple NBA Academy India alumni part of India's 12-man roster

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Pranav Prince and Prashant Singh Rawat are two of three NBA Academy India alumni that are part of India's 12-man roster

On Saturday, Aug. 14, the Basketball Federation of India announced the 12-man roster for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament. 

The roster includes three NBA Academy India alumni in Pranav Prince, Arvind Kumar and Prashant Singh Rawat. While Kumar and Singh were part of the NBA Academy India's first class of 21 student-athletes when it opened in May of 2017, Prince joined the Academy in 2018.

In August 2020, Prince had committed to First Love Christian Academy - a private high school in Washington, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

“I was planning to spend my vacation with my parents during Onam when I got the message from the head coach Matic to attend the camp. I didn’t have to think twice and I changed my plans. Representing the country was my childhood dream and I am really happy, that I have got a chance now and I will make it count,’’ Pranav told Sportstar.

MORE: India's track record at FIBA Asia Cup

Another member of the announced roster, who has a past association with the NBA, is Amjyot Singh Gill, who played in the NBA G League as recently as March of 2019, 

Who is on India's roster for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifying Tournament?

Here's a look at the complete 12-man roster for India:

Player Height/Position
Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon 6'4"/ Point Guard
Joginder Singh 5'9"/ Point Guard
Pranav Prince 6'7"/ Small Forward
Muin Bek Hafeez 6'2"/ Point Guard
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi 6'4"/ Guard
Amritpal Singh 6'10"/ Center
Jagdeep Singh 6'6"/ Forward
Arvind Kumar 6'2"/ Point Guard
Amjyot Singh 6'8"/Forward
Pratyanshu Tomar 6'8"/ Power Forward
Prashant Singh Tomar 6'8"/ Power Forward
Aravind Annadurai 6'8"/ Power Forward

*Height and position as per FIBA.

What is India's schedule at the Qualifying Tournament?

India is one of five nations, that finished third after the three windows of the Qualifiers, that will be competing for the final three spots in the 16-nation Asia Cup to be held next year. 

MORE: India's road to the Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament

However, being part of Group H, India will only be competing against Saudi Arabia and Palestine. Each of the three teams will play the other once and the top two teams, at the end of the three games, will qualify. 

Here's a look at India's schedule:

Opponent Date, Day Timing (IST)
Saudi Arabia Aug. 20, Friday 8:45 p.m.
Palestine Aug. 21, Saturday 8:45 p.m.

Among the three teams, India is the highest-ranked nation on the FIBA Men's rankings at 78 while Saudi Arabia is at 87 and Palestine ranks at 83. 

Both games will be played at the King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

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