‘1.4 Billion People May Not Know Basketball’: Pranav Prince’s Plea for Support Echoes as India Crashes Out of FIBA Men’s Asia Cup
Ahead of the FIBA Men’s Asia Cup, Pranav Prince had asked Indian fans to rally behind their basketball team, as they represented the nation in Saudi Arabia.
Just before the FIBA Men’s Asia Cup was slated to tip off in Saudi Arabia, India’s star forward Pranav Prince showed that more than an athlete chasing glory, he was a man carrying a nation on his back.
During a pre-event media interaction on August 4 arranged by the tournament’s live streaming partner FanCode, the high-flying Prince issued a heartfelt request to fans back home.
Tough On-court Lessons
India entered the tournament as one of the youngest squads in the field, with several players making their Asia Cup debut. In flashes, the team showed promise, matching hosts Saudi Arabia in the opening quarter and pushing Jordan to overtime. Still, they struggled with turnovers, defensive lapses, and no shooting spells that proved costly against seasoned opposition.
The gulf in depth and experience was further made amply clear against powerhouse China. The Young Cagers eventually bowed out of the group phase with a 0-3 record, failing to progress to the knockouts.
Even 1% of India’s Support Is a Game-Changer
Although the on-court challenges were expected, limited fan support made the going tougher. Given the international setting of the tournament, the lack of presence in the stands was understandable. But back home, basketball coverage was minimal, with results and highlights finding only a small place in mainstream sports news.
“At the end of the day, we are representing 1.4 billion people over there (Saudi Arabia),” said Prince. “Maybe not 1.4 billion people know that there is basketball, but who ever knows, I hope they support us. Because we are representing not us, we are representing the whole country.”
Prince's appeal was grounded in competitive reality. Crowd chants can rattle opponents, fuel comebacks, and help teams push through fatigue. And for the second youngest roster in the tournament, confidence was crucial.
Highlighting just how important fan presence can be, Prince reflected on how that extra backing can shift the momentum in games:
“It's a matter of pride for us as well. And the more they support us, the more it motivates us, and the more it will help us in the court to do our best. But regardless, we are going to give our best, but a little support from our country, or our guys will always boost us.”
Even if 1% of India’s population, around 14 million people, actively followed and supported the sport, it would create a fan base larger than the entire population of many basketball-strong nations like Lebanon or New Zealand, both of which have now progressed to the quarter-finals of that same tournament.
Contrasting Fan Cultures
The contrast with India’s Asia Cup opponents is stark. Nations like the Philippines, Lebanon, and Japan enjoy booming basketball cultures, with passionate crowds, televised leagues, and players treated as household names. For India, however, the silence off the court is deafening.
Building that culture takes more than just talent. It requires consistent visibility, structured programs, and tools that help players stay sharp year-round. Modern training aids, such as digital platforms like Pocket Coach, are beginning to close that gap by making advanced drills, analytics, and training strategies accessible to everyone.
The Asia Cup is over for our young Cagers, but the bigger contest, the fight for basketball’s place in Indian mainstream sporting culture, is still being played. Whether the country will answer Prince’s call remains to be seen.
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