Pages

Pages

April 7, 2010

Video: Manny Sahota, Punjabi basketball prodigy



Nearly a month ago, I got an e-mail from Manvinder 'Manny' Sahota, born in the village of Arjanwal near Jalandhar in Punjab 18 years ago, but moved to live in Canada in 1999. The youngster blossomed into a basketball phenom, and performed exceptionally for his high school St. Marguerite d’Youville in Brampton.

The 6 foot 6 small forward was named as part of the '09-10 Toronto Regional High School Basketball Boys All-Star team, averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks for the season. He has professed his dream to one day represent the Indian National team, the Young Cagers. For now, he's been recruited on a full basketball scholarship to the Cornell University in Ithica, New York where he will have a chance to play Division 1 basketball in the NCAA.

Here's a mixtape of Manny's highlights from the past season - let's wish this Arjanwali boy the best for the rest of his career. As I watched this video, I saw how he tore apart every silly stereotype about Indians not being athletically good enough to play basketball at a high level - with the right diet and fitness regime, there is no doubt that more Mannys can be discovered amongst the thousands of keen ballers back home in India.




10 comments:

  1. Hi...

    Nice to see an Indian playing good in abroad..

    keep going

    Jayasankar Menon

    ReplyDelete
  2. yo id fry him..he's good..but i dare him to see me in indopak

    ReplyDelete
  3. He can ball...but throughout the whole video he doesnt use his left hand once??!! Can this guy even go left or finish with his left? He will be a back up at Cornell nothing more.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. the guy is good enough to play for Cornell, thats a great accomplishment, its clear he has a overall game, he needs to get stronger, better conditioning, and work on his off hand, but overall solid player very impressed

    ReplyDelete
  5. The competition in canada is not nearly what it is in the US. Even though canada has its fair share of top indian players division one basketball is a different level. Hopefully this kid is able to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. INDIA REPRESENT BRRRP BRRPP DESI BOY

    ReplyDelete
  7. this guy is AMAZING. you have to see him play in real life to grasp his talent.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This guy plays for the University of Toronto now.

    ReplyDelete