Calcutta/New York: Satnam Singh Bhamara scripted history by becoming the first Indian basketball player to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA) after being picked by Dallas Mavericks.

The 19-year-old, who hails from a remote village called Ballo Ke near Ludhiana, in Punjab, and stands 7 feet 2 inches tall, was the 52nd pick in the NBA Draft.

On cloud nine after achieving the feat, Punjab boy Satnam Singh said that his entry will open doors for more Indians to play basketball at the highest level in America. "The feeling is of course unreal, but it has happened and I feel that my entry will certainly open the doors for many aspiring basketballers in India to dream big," said an elated Satnam.

"At least, now there is somebody whom the youngsters back home can identify with, someone who is playing in the NBA. Now a road has been opened up for them. "The game will certainly grow in India in the coming years. You see the popularity of cricket now, but in the future basketball will also be popular back home," he added.

Satnam revealed that he was anxious about the entire process. "Forget about sleep, I couldn't even eat because of the anxiety. There were no nerves as such, but there was this feeling that I should make it into the draft... I was certainly hopeful after coming this far, but there is always a big if... By the grace of God, I have realised my dream," he said.

Satnam thanked his family and his first guide for helping him achieve his dream. "I can never forget about the prayers and sacrifices of my mother, who has played a key role in me getting here. My sister also prayed a lot for me. I can't also thank enough Dr. Subramaniam, my first coach, who believed in me and always encouraged me to chase my dreams and achieve my goals."

Looking up to Kobe Bryant as his favourite NBA star, Satnam also looks forward to rubbing shoulders with the best in the business, especially German veteran Dirk Nowitzki, who is part of the Dallas squad.

"My favourite NBA player is Kobe Bryant for sure. And I would love to play with the best of the best. It will definitely be a learning experience and I would certainly look to pick a few things from Nowitzki," he said.

Satnam, who was selected amongst the 60 young men who will play basketball in the NBA next season, has been training in Florida for the last five years along with youths of 39 countries on an initiative of US-based IMG Reliance Academy. Satnam has represented the India national basketball team at the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship and the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

It is also the first time since the 2005 NBA draft that a player would declare to enter the draft without playing in college, overseas professionally, or in the NBA Development League as well. Since their inaugural 1980-81 season, The Dallas Mavericks have won three division titles (1987, 2007, 2010), two conference championships (2006, 2011), and one NBA Championship (2011).