Howard Looks to Promote NBA Across India
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By: Scott Stanchak (NBA.com)
Aug. 12, 2010
Spread the word. That’s the mission Dwight Howard is on right now. He just happens to be doing it nearly 8,000 miles away from his home in Orlando, Fla. The four-time NBA All-Star is on a five-day ambassadorship visit to India, helping promote the NBA and even offer some on-court advice. In a phone interview from Delhi, Howard spoke about expanding the NBA and basketball globally and the potential for growth in India.
How were you approached by the NBA regarding this ambassadorship trip to India?
“My assistant asked if I wanted to go to India. I was like ‘yea, of course.’ I always wanted to go. So I’m here.”
In your opinion, how well received is the NBA in that country right now?
“It’s crazy. I’m surprised by the big fanbase we have here. I just got out to the lobby and there are a lot of fans around and a lot of people waiting to take pictures. It’s great here.”
Is that crazy to go somewhere so far away from the United States and people still recognize you?
“It is. It’s very crazy. It’s something that basketball players wish could happen one day, to go across the globe and people all the way across the world recognize you. It’s a blessing and an honor to be here. It’s an honor to be one of the guys that’s recognized.”
Is the NBA fanbase there larger or less than you expected?
“I didn’t know what to expect to be honest with you. I’ve been to China a bunch of times and every time I went there I kind of knew what it was going to be like. I didn’t know what it was going to be like here. I was just shocked to see how everything has been going so far.”
What was it like training with India’s Senior Men’s National Team?
“Oh, man. It was great. Just teaching those guys and trying to help them so they’ll continue to grow as good players. It was a lot of fun.”
Read the Full Q&A on NBA.com
Aug. 12, 2010
Spread the word. That’s the mission Dwight Howard is on right now. He just happens to be doing it nearly 8,000 miles away from his home in Orlando, Fla. The four-time NBA All-Star is on a five-day ambassadorship visit to India, helping promote the NBA and even offer some on-court advice. In a phone interview from Delhi, Howard spoke about expanding the NBA and basketball globally and the potential for growth in India.
How were you approached by the NBA regarding this ambassadorship trip to India?
“My assistant asked if I wanted to go to India. I was like ‘yea, of course.’ I always wanted to go. So I’m here.”
In your opinion, how well received is the NBA in that country right now?
“It’s crazy. I’m surprised by the big fanbase we have here. I just got out to the lobby and there are a lot of fans around and a lot of people waiting to take pictures. It’s great here.”
Is that crazy to go somewhere so far away from the United States and people still recognize you?
“It is. It’s very crazy. It’s something that basketball players wish could happen one day, to go across the globe and people all the way across the world recognize you. It’s a blessing and an honor to be here. It’s an honor to be one of the guys that’s recognized.”
Is the NBA fanbase there larger or less than you expected?
“I didn’t know what to expect to be honest with you. I’ve been to China a bunch of times and every time I went there I kind of knew what it was going to be like. I didn’t know what it was going to be like here. I was just shocked to see how everything has been going so far.”
What was it like training with India’s Senior Men’s National Team?
“Oh, man. It was great. Just teaching those guys and trying to help them so they’ll continue to grow as good players. It was a lot of fun.”
Read the Full Q&A on NBA.com
