Kerala’s Pranav Prince delivered an extraordinary performance to lead the Indian men’s basketball team to a historic 88-69 win over Kazakhstan in the Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, breaking a 16-game losing streak in FIBA competitions.
The triumph, achieved at Chennai’s Nehru Indoor Stadium, marked India’s first FIBA win in three years and their first victory over Kazakhstan in 27 years. The 21-year-old Pranav, hailed as the ‘Prince of India’ by commentators, captivated the 6,000-strong crowd with his all-round excellence.
The Thiruvananthapuram native tallied 17 points, sharing the top-scorer title with Kanwar Sandhu. He also dominated other areas with 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, underscoring his versatility and skill. A key moment came in the fourth quarter when Pranav’s three-pointer extended India’s lead to 68-55, igniting thunderous applause from fans.
A graduate of NBA Academy India, Pranav stands 6’7” and has become a beacon of hope for the team.
“It’s been a long time coming,” head coach Scott Flemming told FIBA. “This win is a huge confidence boost for our young team. Many of these players were in high school a few years ago, and we’re still focused on improving.”
India’s victory is a promising step forward as the team aims to build on this momentum and achieve greater success on the international stage.
