From New York in the west to Mizoram in the east, Uttarakhand up north to Kerala down south, hundreds of aspiring professional basketball players attended 3BL Season 3 tryouts last month, across two different cities.
On 16th & 17th October, Chandigarh’s Sector 42 Sports Complex hosted the tryouts, followed by Hyderabad’s Loyola Academy on 23rd & 24th October.
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“It was heartening to see the response and hunger among participants – young and old, male & female – to get selected in India’s only FIBA/BFI recognized Professional Basketball League,” Mr. Rohit Bakshi, Commissioner (3BL) said. “We would like to thank our local organizing partners Chandigarh Basketball Association, Telangana Basketball Association and Loyola Academy, Hyderabad.”
3BL’s coaches and scouts put the 250 odd attendees through the paces with conditioning drills, individual skills showcases and 3x3 game scrimmages.
“It was great to see this level of turnout as it shows that players have faith in the system. So many players consider 3BL as a key source of income as it is the only professional basketball league in India. Thanks to BFI’s approval we now have access to the best talent from across the country,” said Inderbir Singh Gill, Co-ordinating Coach at the tryouts & Star Player from Mumbai Heroes.
“Players like Dhruv Barman, Abhyudaya Yadav and Harkirat Singh Jattana were products of the 3BL Tryouts 2018. They have risen up the ranks in 3BL and are now conducting tryouts for 3BL which should act as motivation to the players,” added Gill.“We are looking for players who are all-rounders, are athletic, can play offense and defense and have good strength, size and skill.”
In order to attend the tryouts, all participants had to advance register themselves for free on the 3BL app, available for download on both Android and iOS. The names of drafted players from this year’s tryouts will be revealed ahead of the upcoming 3BL Season 3 auction ceremony, the dates of which will be announced soon.
3BL is India’s only FIBA/BFI recognized Pro Basketball League. Earlier this year, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) granted recognition to 3BL, paving the way for the country’s top players to participate.