7-foot and 250 pounds from India. He's only 14 yrs. old.

NBA Awaits Satnam From India, So Big and Athletic at 14

Satnam Singh Bhamara did not grow up dreaming about playing in the NBA -- because he never saw the game. He didn't even know what basketball was.

Then his father told him a story, a sad story about long-ago missed opportunity, about a game he knew and loved but never was allowed to play, a game he quietly wanted his son to try, offering a window to a whole different world.

In a country of 1.3 billion people, 7-foot, 250-pound Satnam Singh Bhamar has become a beacon for basketball hope.

At age 14.

Satnam came to the United States for the first time six weeks ago, one of 29 student athletes (both male and female in three different sports) from India who will train at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla, as part of a new scholarship program to promote, develop and manage sports and entertainment in that country.

Although the program was designed to last three months before this group leaves and another arrives, Satnam and his burgeoning skills won't be going home anytime soon. It's like gold has been discovered in the hills, and this diamond in the rough will be carefully polished.

That potential starts with his size, which is incredible itself. At age 14, he is expected to grow for another couple of years. For now, he wears a size-22 basketball shoe. His hands swallow the ball. His father, Balbir Singh Bhamara, is 7-2. His grandmother on his father's side is 6-9.

His basketball skills are still raw and mechanical, but his eye-hand coordination looked good during a recent workout. He has a soft touch around the basket. He moves better than some of the big men in the NBA today. He is comfortable with the ball. In six weeks of training at IMG, his body has changed and his muscles have toned.

To his credit, he is not timid -- by any stretch. His ancestors came from the same village where he was born. It has been there for more than 600 years. Those that know India say that the countryside where he is from produces an aggressive mentality among the men. They are farmers, but they also are warriors, strong and proud and brave, always protecting the border with Pakistan.

"My father wanted to play basketball, but my grandfather insisted he could not. They were a family of farmers. He had fields to tend,'' Satnam said. "He never got the chance that I am getting now. He is very proud of me, and I want to play this game as well as I can play. That is my task now. Where it will take me, I don't know. The NBA? One day.''

Satnam with 6-foot-10 IMG Basketball Academy coach Nate Vander Sluis

No way he's only 14

If that kid is 14, then Greg Oden is only 22.

The parents 'lost' his birth certificate

Looks like Yi Jianlian all over again.

Damn, he looks 30.

There's no way possible this kid/adult is 14 years old. He's probably older than Greg Oden.

A 6-9 grandmother, holy shit.

what is he and his family eating??!!!
steroids?

In the pic his arms look pretty skinny, he'd probably have to bulk up a little more.

His father, Balbir Singh Bhamara, is 7-2. His grandmother on his father's side is 6-9.

Wow, seriously. That is one tall-ass family he has. Let's just hope he's not as injury-prone as China's 7-footer.

China's 7-footer.

Who? Yi Jianlian?

That better be a fucking joke z02, because it's obvious who it is.

It is.

In all seriousness, I believe Yao is closer to 8 than 7 feet- isn't he 7'6 and a little bit?

Wouldn't be totally surprised if this kid (if he really is 14) grows to be as tall as Yao.

motherfucker he looks 30

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That better be a fucking joke z02, because it's obvious who it is.

You confused me as well...

He looks like a man who works...


Axel, we all know it was Yao

A 6-9 grandmother, holy shit.

No way.

Wouldn't be totally surprised if this kid (if he really is 14) grows to be as tall as Yao.

He can still grow up to 7-7 if his growth hormones would permit.

i cant believe i wasted my time on that video.

Whew... Only 14 years old.

Why thank you shadow! What a nice rock!

It's not for you stupid. That's considered stealing. You have sinned and must now kill yourself.

I hope he makes it. Would like to see an Indian in the NBA. He looks pretty young to me btw. His shoulders arent really broad, bulky and muscular in other pics of his.

FYI dudes from Punjab are hairy as fuck so dont go by the 5 o clock shadow on him.

No offense to the Indians if there is any here, but isn't it that Indians have a tendency to have bad odor? Just asking for the sake of knowing.

I wouldn't be surprised if you're pinoy.