Future prospect: Ann Mary, who will likely be enjoying within the NCAA Division 1 this 12 months.
She had been making waves in junior basketball leagues within the US the previous few months, successful a variety of player-of-the-week awards. Now, Ann Mary Zachariah has moved to the subsequent stage.
The Chennai-born 19-year-old, whose dad and mom hail from Kerala, has secured a sports activities scholarship from the Colorado State University which performs within the NCAA Division 1. And when she seems for her new college later this 12 months, junior worldwide Ann Mary would be the first lady participant from Tamil Nadu or Kerala to determine within the NCAA Division 1.
Though numbers are usually not available, only a few ladies from India have performed in NCAA Division 1.
“My big dream is to play in the WNBA. I have three years in this Division 1 college. It’s going to be a tough journey for me, I’ve got to work hard and I’m willing to do that,” Ann Mary instructed The Hindu from Texas on Thursday evening.
“Five years ago, I didn’t think I’d play in the US, for a US college, I’m truly blessed.
“This is my third year in the US. When I came here, it was very different from India, physically and mentally too. My coaches are pushing me to make me a better player. I’m improving with every practice session.”
Ann Mary has basketball in her genes. Her dad and mom, Zachariah Thomas and Jeena Zachariah, are former internationals – they’re now with the Southern Railway in Chennai – and he or she took to the game at 10 and is now among the many nation’s greatest juniors.
The 6’2 ahead, who was in Kottayam’s Mount Carmel School and who had been a a part of NBA improvement camps earlier, performed for India within the under-16 and under-18 Asian championships (the nation performed in Division ‘B’).
In 2019, she was one of many 4 Indian ladies chosen for the NCAA’s Next Generation camp in Florida and later she was with the Kansas State Life Preparatory Academy.
Her new strikes within the US will likely be watched very intently again house.
