Basketball is a popular sport in India, with a multi-tiered professional club league system and men's and women's national teams. The Indian basketball team has made significant development in recent years. Although basketball has increased in popularity in India over the last decade, thanks in part to the NBA's efforts to extend its market in the country, the sport has sparked little enthusiasm. The Indian basketball team's inability to make an impression on the international stage has limited its exposure and spotlight. Talented basketballers have upped the bar for Indian basketball in the brief opportunities they've had.
The bar stool squabbles continue. Which is better, Jordan or James? Magic or Kareem? Chamberlain or Russell? Who do you think is the best NBA player of all time? Fans argue vehemently. They use statistics, trophies, individual prizes, and eye tests to make their decisions. However, there are few practical means for basketball fans in India to measure and compare the greatness of our country's best players. A full-fledged professional league has never existed in India. So, without further ado, here are the Indian basketball players we believe are the best of all time.
1. Khushi Ram
Khushi Ram, known as The Scoring Machine of Asia, was an Indian basketball player who represented his country in many international games. In 1967, he received the Arjuna medal, India's top athletic honor. In 1965, he led the Indian National Basketball Team to its first appearance in the Asian Basketball Championship. From 1964 until 1972, he was a member of the Indian national team. He won the 10th Anniversary Celebrations Championship in Manila in 1970, earning 43 points versus the Philippines, the hosts (the highest by an Indian in an international). Khushi Ram was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967, and after his death, a statue was constructed in his village in Haryana.
2. Hanuman Singh
Hanuman was a major component of Team India's illustrious squad that competed in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, which was India's only appearance in an Olympic basketball competition. He had his greatest game in a loss to Czechoslovakia, throwing out 10 assists. In the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the 1980 Olympics, he represented India. In 1975, he received the Arjuna Award. Born in Nagaur around 1950. He attended the Ajmer Military School. In national tournaments, he represented Indian Railways.
3. Ajmer Singh
Ajmer Singh, one of India's most gifted basketball players, was the best player in the country's first (and only) Olympic basketball debut in Moscow in 1980. Although India lost all seven games, Ajmer was a standout. He was one of the top scorers at the end of the competition. At the 1980 Olympics, he averaged 21 points per game, with Radhey Shyam, the Indian team's second greatest scorer, averaging 14 points per game. In the competition, Singh accounted for roughly a third of India's points.
4. Gulam Abbas Moontasir
Moontasir made his international debut in an exhibition match against Australia in Mumbai in 1960. He competed for India in the quadrangular in Colombo in 1964, and he captained the Indian squad at the Asian Basketball Championships in Bangkok in 1969 and 1975. Moontasir also competed in the 10th Anniversary Confederation Tournament in Manila and for the Indian squad in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. He was chosen for the Asian All-Star team in 1970. In 1970, he became the first Indian basketball player to get the Arjuna Award for national sports accomplishments. At 44, he played his final national level match for the Railways in the Federation Cup in 1986.
5. Sajjan Singh Cheema
Sajjan represented India in many international games and competitions, including the Asian Basketball Championships in 1981, 1983, and 1985. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1999 and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 1983. He started his career with Andhra Pradesh before moving on to Punjab for more than a decade. He announced his retirement from the game in 1994.
