‘This brand of basketball will leave you shocked’

As part of a Reliance Foundation initiative, 3000 students from across 70 schools in Mumbai will throng the NSCI Dome for the opener on October 4. “It will be really good for the kids to see how talented these NBA players are. Hopefully, they will become more attracted towards the sport after the Games,” said Williams.

Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers will compete in two pre-season matches, with the final one slated to be held on October 5. According to the former NBA champion, the level of basketball will leave fanatics in the country “shocked” as they will be in for a treat.

“The supporters have never seen this brand of basketball before. The players are so fast and the way they jump - these things might put you guys in shock. I am saying it because you haven’t seen anything like this,” added Wilvliams, who won the title with Miami Heat in 2006.

Talking about the talent that India has, Williams opined, “It is just my second day here. The players are hard workers and are willing to get better. So I think it is in a good spot.”

Sacramento Kings: Trevor Ariza (Forward), Marvin Bagley III (Forward), Harrison Barnes (Forward), Nemanja Bjelica (Forward), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Guard), Dewayne Dedmon (Center), Yogi Ferrell (Guard), De’Aaron Fox (Guard), Wenyen Gabriel (Forward), Harry Giles III (Forward/Center), Kyle Guy (Guard), Buddy Hield (Guard), Richaun Holmes (Forward), Justin James (Guard/Forward), Cory Joseph (Guard), Tyler Lydon (Forward), Eric Mika (Center), Isaiah Pineiro (Forward), Caleb Swanigan (Forward) and Tyler Ullis (Guard).

Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze (Centre), Brian Bowen II (Guard/Forward), Amida Brimah (Center), Malcolm Brogdon (Guard), JaKeenan Gant (Forward), Aaron Holiday (Guard), Justin Holiday (Guard), Alize Johnson (Forward), Jeremy Lamb (Forward), TJ Leaf (Forward), TJ McConnell (Guard), Doung McDermott (Forward), Naz Mitrou-Long (Guard), Domantas Sabonis (Forward), JaKarr Sampson (Forward), Edmond Sumner (Guard), Myles Turner (Forward/Center), TJ Warren (Forward) and CJ Wilcox (Guard).