Satnam Singh, the trailblazing Indian basketball player selected in the NBA draft, has unexpectedly opted to depart from the realm of basketball and redirect his focus towards professional wrestling. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Satnam revealed his steadfast commitment to pursuing a career in wrestling, forsaking any notion of a return to basketball.
Hailing from a quaint village in Punjab, Satnam Singh etched his name in the annals of history in 2015 as the first Indian player to be drafted into the NBA by the Dallas Mavericks. Nonetheless, following a series of triumphs and setbacks in his basketball career, the 28-year-old has resolved to chart a new course and explore the domain of professional wrestling.
Having represented India in basketball from a tender age, Satnam realised his aspiration of competing for the national team. Despite his accomplishments, a two-year prohibition from the National Anti-Doping Agency as a result of a positive test for a banned substance abruptly concluded his basketball journey. Since then, Satnam has shifted his focus to professional wrestling and has affiliated himself with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Standing at an imposing height of 7 feet 4 inches, he made his foray into television in 2022 and now envisages introducing AEW to India.
During the interview, Satnam deliberated upon his basketball odyssey and articulated his intentions with AEW. Furthermore, he addressed the dearth of basketball facilities in his hometown and dispensed counsel to the authorities overseeing the sport in India.
When recounting his tenure in Florida at the IMG Academy, Satnam imparted that despite initial adversities, he ultimately assimilated into his new milieu. He also expounded upon the enhancements in basketball infrastructure in his place of origin and underscored the necessity for authorities to afford unbiased opportunities to burgeoning players.
Contemplating his NBA voyage, Satnam conveyed that being selected was a dream actualised, one that bore the aspirations of an entire nation upon his shoulders. He also underscored his plans with AEW and his aspiration to introduce wrestling to India with the intent of inspiring the youth to pursue diverse paths in sports.
With regard to his future in basketball, Satnam unequivocally affirmed that he harbours no inclination to stage a comeback in the sport. His unwavering focus is directed towards his wrestling career, with an unwavering resolve to carve out a distinct identity for himself in that arena.
It is evident that Satnam Singh has made a resolute and audacious decision to relinquish his basketball ambitions in favour of fervently pursuing his ardour for professional wrestling. Endowed with an imposing stature and unyielding determination, there is little doubt that he will persist in fashioning a triumphant career in the realm of AEW.
(Exclusive interview facilitated by Eurosport. Watch AEW Dynamite LIVE on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD from 06:30 Hrs (06:30 am IST) onwards on Thursday, 7th December, 2023. The Eurosport channel can now be streamed on the discovery+ app.)