Palpreet Singh Brar and Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. drafted to NBA D-League

By Dat Winning

Indian prospect Palpreet Singh Brar was taken in the 4th round of the NBA D-League draft on October 30 by the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets NBDL affiliate.

The 6-9 Singh Brar is the second player from India to play in the NBDL behind Satnam Singh Bhamara, who played for the Texas Legends during the 2015-16 season. The 7-2, 290 lb center averaged 1.5 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game over 19 games played.

Philippines-born Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. also played for the Texas Legends last year, posting 4.6 ppg in 32 games. He was taken by the Westchester Knicks this year with the last pick in the 6-round draft.

For Singh Brar, there is still a ways to go before he can fulfill his dream of making an NBA roster. Satnam Singh was the first to be drafted by an NBA team, taken by the Dallas Mavericks last year in the 2nd round with the 52nd overall pick, but he has yet to log an NBA minute.

Canadian-born Sim Bhullar was the first player of Indian descent signed by an NBA team. The 7-5 center made history as the first Indian player to play and score in an NBA game on April 14, 2014. Bhullar played for the NBDL’s Raptors 905 last year averaging 9.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, but joined the Dacin Tigers earlier this year in Taiwan’s Super Basketball League.

The D-League isn’t shy about touting its successes. It’s the essential message of the entire home page, spotlighting players who have carved out rotation spots or even starting nods in the NBA from relative obscurity such as Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder, Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

Neither Singh Brar nor Parks, Jr. are considered among this year’s Top 25 D-League prospects. The rankings are listed as weekly so that, of course, may change over the course of the season.

The Long Island Nets will play their first game on Friday, November 11 against the Windy City Bulls in Chicago. Parks, Jr.’s Westchester Knicks will open against the Delaware 87ers on November 12 in Delaware.