Sandhu becomes the first player from the Indian academy to earn a Division I men’s basketball scholarship
India born Amaan Sandhu has become the first player from NBA Academy India to earn a Division I men’s basketball scholarship with Monmouth University signing him ahead of the 2022-23 season.
“We’re so excited to add Amaan to our program,” said West Long Branch, New Jersey based university’s men’s basketball and head coach King Rice announcing the signing of center player.
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“His journey to get to where he is now is incredible and we’re glad he chose to come with us,” he said. “To be one of the first players born in India to ever earn a Division I men’s basketball scholarship is major for Amaan and his family and we can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Sandhu had the ability to play a national schedule, including competing at some of the top showcase events in the country while at First Love Christian Academy under the direction of Nathan Roesing, according to a university press release.
Upon signing at FLCA, he became the third Indian male teenager from the NBA Academy India to receive a high school scholarship in the US. While at First Love, Sandhu posted 12.2 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per contest to go along with nearly two assists. He was a 35% three-point shooter and 62.1% from the field while converting 74.9% from the free throw line.
Sandhu is the first player from the NBA Academy India to earn a Division I men’s basketball scholarship. A member of the inaugural class of prospects at the academy in May 2017, Sandhu joins the Hawks at the center position, standing at 7’0″.
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Sandhu competed at NBA Academy India, one of four NBA Academies around the world, until the fall of 2020, when he enrolled in First Love Christian Academy.
Sandhu is the third player overall from NBA Academy India to earn a Division I basketball scholarship, joining Sanjana Ramesh at Northern Arizona and Harsimran Kaur at San Diego on the women’s side.
He has had the opportunity to compete in several high-profile basketball camps and events, including Basketball Without Borders Asia 2018 & 2019, NBA Global Camp 2018 in Italy, the 2018 and 2019 NBA Academy Games, and Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star 2020 in Chicago.
In April 2019, Sandhu participated in the NCAA’s Next Generation Sunday event at the Final Four, where he was a part of life-skills sessions and competed in exhibition contests against players from around the world.
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In 2019, Sandhu played with the Indian Men’s Senior National Team at the South Asian Games, resulting in a gold medal. He was also a member of the 2020 Indian National Team at the FIBA Asia qualifiers.
Son of Rajinder Kaur Sandhu and Gursharanjeet Singh Sandhu, Amaan is a native of Mohali, Punjab, India.