Basketball player Amjyot Singh Gill, the power forward from Chandigarh, has signed the standard NBA Development League player contract making him eligible to get drafted into the D-League. The 'D League' or 'Development League' is a key stepping stone towards making a cut to the NBA.
"I'm both nervous and excited. I am motivated with the desire to do whatever it takes to make it to the NBA. Whatever happens, this is an opportunity for me to get exposure and understand the workings of the League," Amjyot said.
Amjyot now has a chance to become an official D-League player in any of the 22 D-League teams currently affiliated to their parent franchise in the NBA. From thereon, he could be "called-up" to the parent NBA franchise anytime in the upcoming season on short 10-day contracts or for longer durations.
Playing in the D-League in the long term also opens up opportunities in other elite leagues in Europe, Australia, South America or China. Over the last three seasons around 15% of NBA D-League athletes (or an average of 39 players per season) have received a call-up to the NBA.
Amjyot was a part of the Indian team that guided India into the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. He, along with Amritpal Singh, who was also in the Indian team at the FIBA Asia Championship, moved to Japan last year. The duo led their Tokyo Excellence team to the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) Championship. Amjyot, in particular, averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game over 35 games, playing 21 minutes per game.
Amjyot was also also part of a 3x3 side from Japan (Team Hamamatsu), comprising Indian origin players, that has qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour finals to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 27-28 October. The 3x3 World Tour Finals is a very prestigious event that is equivalent of a World Cup for 3x3 basketball. Amjyot will be competing in this event before flying to the US for the D-League draft.
The NBA D-League's 16th season begins on Nov. 11 with a record 22 teams. Following the draft, teams will hold training camps beginning on Oct. 31, and will trim their rosters to 10 players on Nov. 10, before the start of the season.