MUMBAI: Los Angeles Lakers centre, Brook Lopez, who concluded his NBA-related India visit at the weekend, believes a professional basketball league has the potential for growth in India akin to the way in which Major League Soccer is growing in the US.
“It’s (football) increasing in popularity in America obviously and has been for a while. Interest in the MLS has been increasing a lot every time the (FIFA) World Cup comes around. Great interest is being generated in the local league and it keeps growing. I think there are 23-24 teams now,” PTI quotes the Lakers star as having said during a media interaction here Saturday ahead of his departure.
“I think it’ll be great to see that kind of growth in basketball; so perhaps a professional league in India (is needed). For me it gives an opportunity for the players to move on to the national team and one day hopefully (gain a place) in the NBA,” said Lopez, who himself is a big fan of former top French soccer greats Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.
Speaking about his visit to the country as well as the NBA Academy camp in Delhi, Lopez was positive that the future of basketball is bright in India because of some outstanding individual talents.
“Yes, there were a few of them, (but) unfortunately I didnt get any names. But watching different kids exceeded my expectations. And these kids being 14-15 years old, there is so much room for improvement in these formative years,” Lopez signed off.
Since 2006, more than 30 active and retired NBA and WNBA players have visited India with the NBA, including Kevin Durant, Sim Bhullar, Kenneth Faried, Bruce Bowen, Muggsy Bogues, Chris Bosh, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Seth Curry, Pau Gasol, Robert Horry, Dwight Howard, Robin Lopez and Jason Richardson.
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