Well, we all know India has been a hotbed of talent, popping outshining stars left, right, and center. And hey, let’s not forget sports, a major cornerstone of our culture. For ages, cricket’s been the big noise, capturing all the limelight. But lately, we’ve been seeing other sports stepping out of the shadows, basketball being a case in point. And who’s been lighting up this basketball torch, you might wonder? It’s the strong, irrepressible, and oh-so-talented Indian women! These ladies have been killin’ it on the court, inspiring a new breed of sports aficionados in the country.
And in today’s post, we are about to dive deep into the list of the top 10 best female basketball players in India of all time. We’re talking about time-honored legends and today’s trendsetters, all in this one thrilling and exciting roller coaster ride. So let’s get down to it then, shall we?
List of Best Female Basketball Player In India Ever
1. Geethu Anna Jose
You’ve got to hear about Geethu Anna Jose! She’s not just a basketball player, she’s a true legend in India. This woman could dribble, shoot, and dominate like nobody’s business, standing tall at 6’2″. Her place on the court? Center and power forward, positions she mastered with her agility, strength, and versatility. From leading her national team to the spotlight in international tournaments to scoring the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title at the 2009 Asian Basketball Championship, she kept breaking boundaries. Global basketball communities were so impressed that she even got offers to play pro in the U.S. and Australia. Her journey, while filled with challenges, only proved her exceptional abilities.
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2. Shiba Maggon
Then there’s Shiba Maggon, the ‘Queen of Basketball.’ As a former player, Shiba has left quite an impression on Indian basketball. She was a shooting guard, notorious for her sharpshooting skills and her knack for putting up big numbers on the scoreboard. But her influence didn’t end when she hung up her sneakers. She transitioned into coaching, nurturing the next wave of ballers in India. From being an on-court star to an influential coach, Shiba continues to shape the future of the sport. Now, when you ask her students about her, literally everyone will tell you that Shiba Maggon is the true inspiration and a driving force for them.
3. Prashanti Singh
Prashanti Singh is the living definition of ‘Ball is Life.’ Her dad used to be a pro basketball player too, and her sisters, Divya, Akanksha, and Pratima are also representing India in this sport. We’ll talk about her sisters later in this post, so stay tuned for that. She’s not just a family woman but also a force on the court and a fantastic ambassador for the game. She has run basketball camps and clinics, encouraging more young girls to fall in love with basketball. As if that wasn’t enough, she was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2017 – pretty much the highest sports honor you can get in India. What a legend!
4. Divya Singh
As we promised that we’ll talk about Prashanti Singh’s sisters in this post, here are we introducing Divya Singh, a former captain of the Indian National Women’s Basketball Team, who was no less of a baller. She commanded the court with her skills and leadership, juggling her academic prowess with her sporting duties. Her reign included leading India at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and bagging a ton of medals in various sporting events. She even flexed her coaching muscles as an assistant coach for the University of Delaware’s women’s basketball team. She was truly a multi-talented basketball player, don’t you think?
5. Anitha Pauldurai
Anitha Pauldurai is one of India’s basketball legends, serving as the captain of the India women’s national basketball team for 18 long years. From 2000 to 2017, Anitha led the team, setting records along the way, including becoming the first Indian woman to play in nine consecutive Asian Basketball Confederation championships. She’s got a whopping 30 medals under her belt from national championships. Her basketball journey began at 11 when her school coach encouraged her to give it a shot. What began as a tryout quickly turned into a lifelong passion and, ultimately, her career. Anitha’s been a gold medal magnet, winning several at national, international, and Asian championships since her senior debut in 2001.
6. Appoorva Muralinath
Appoorva Muralinath, an Indian basketball star turned coach, is a true game-changer. She followed in her father’s footsteps, K. Muralinath, an ex-Indian National Men’s Basketball Team player. Appoorva made her mark in the Indian women’s national basketball team from 2010 to 2015. She’s a power forward/center who dominated the All India Inter-Railway Championships from 2012-2016, bagging four golds and one silver. She currently coaches the women’s basketball team at Williams College. Appoorva is also celebrated for her savvy business mind, featuring in articles discussing her learnings from the court.
7. Jeena Palanilkumkalayil Skaria
Jeena Skaria, an Indian pro basketball player and practicing Christian, is a basketball powerhouse. Born on January 9, 1994, in Kalpetta, Wayanad, she captains the Indian women’s national basketball team and is hailed as one of the best female players India has ever produced. Jeena has led Kerala to their first Senior Nationals gold since the mid-eighties and was pivotal in India’s victory in the Division B FIBA Asia Women’s Cup in Bengaluru. She also represented India in the semi-finals of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Mongolia. Jeena is the second Indian woman to join an Australian league, walking in the shoes of fellow Keralite Geethu Anna Rahul.
8. Barkha Sonkar
Barkha Sonkar is another rising star in Indian women’s basketball. She’s part of the national team and had an impressive stint in the 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B. Barkha was a key player in India’s 75-73 victory against Kazakhstan, even bagging the 3rd best player award. After completing high school at IMG Academy in Florida, she studied at Hillsborough Community College, playing for the Hillsborough Hawks for two years. Barkha also showcased her skills at Lindsey Wilson College, Kentucky.
9. Pratima Singh
Pratima Singh may not be widely recognized as one of India’s best female basketball players, but she has performed quite well whenever she was on the court. Hailing from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Pratima is one of the renowned “Singh Sisters” who’ve played a significant role in promoting basketball in India. Representing India in various international tournaments, Pratima has showcased her talent on global platforms like the Asian Games and FIBA Asia Championships. Her journey, from a small village to the national team, has been nothing short of inspiring, breaking barriers, and making a name in the sport against all odds.
10. Akanksha Singh
Akanksha Singh has represented India in various international tournaments, shining on the court with her exceptional skills. Akanksha holds numerous records, including the highest scoring average in a season in the Indian Women’s Basketball League and a record 49 points in a single game. A true all-rounder, Akanksha’s prowess in handling the ball, shooting, and passing is unmatched. Off the court, she’s a role model, often leading the national team and advocating for greater support for female athletes in India. Through her achievements and advocacy, Akanksha continues to inspire more young girls to step into the sport.
Conclusion
All in all, these women, with their relentless drive, raw talent, and never-say-die attitude, are true benchmarks of what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. These stories embody the power of dreams, the grit that turns failures into victories, and the sheer audacity of shattering stereotypes.
Passionate sports content writer, Rocky delves into the world of athletics with a keen eye for detail. With a background in journalism, he transforms moments on the field into compelling narratives that resonate with readers.
