Larger than Life?

Have you ever noticed that whenever someone is tall at a young age it is assumed that they play basketball?...And if they don't play, then they should. Am I the only one that wonders why you can't be tall and want to be a lawyer, an engineer, a television broadcaster, or anything that doesn't require you to be an athlete?

I recently read a refreshing story about a 14 year old larger than life. Well, not literally but a young kid by name of Satnam Singh Bhamara, who is already 7 feet, 250 pounds, at just 14 years old. He probably isn't on any web databases like Rivals.com or Scout.com because he is from Punjab, India.

Bhamara comes from a family where your future is set at birth. His father is a farmer and it is assumed Satnam will follow in those footsteps. Obviously things change when your 7 feet tall. Bhamara is currently in the US getting a middle school education and perfecting his basketball skills at IMG Basketball Academy, in Florida. The program he is in, typically last for three months, but Bhamara plans to make a lasting impression in hopes that he remains in the US and takes his basketball talent to the next level.

While many of us, including myself, don't truly mature and make real life decisions until college and after, this 14 year old is working hard to be one of a kind. The NBA has never had an athlete from India. Bhamara already has the size, he just needs to improve his skills. The trainers working with him say he has outstanding touch and very good moves for his age. His main weaknesses are his lower body strength and body control. Both of those weaknesses are expected for any 14 year old, not to mention he is 7 feet. Everything is in place for Bhamara to succeed, his future is in his hands.

Best case scenario, Bhamara does for India what Yao Ming did for China. He becomes the first and most prominent player from India in the NBA. Worst case scenario is that he continues to grow and never fully gets the control of his body needed to play in the NBA or a division one college, which would mean this could be the last time you hear the name Satnam Singh Bhamara.

Only time will tell what happens, but I wish Satnam the best and would love to see him in the NBA one day.