Promising big, Lavin Raj, soaking in experience at senior level

SINGAPORE (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 East Region Pre-Qualifiers) – Lavin Raj has always stood out. Even from back when he played on the U18 Singapore National Team back in 2016 at SEABA U18 Championship, opposing teams and fans gawked at just how massive he was. Raj had become used to that, as it was already a big part of how he got to start playing basketball in the first place.

“When I was in primary school, my school teacher in charge invited me to play basketball as I was already big and tall among my peers,” Raj says. “At first, I was not into it but eventually when I watched one of my senior’s game, I got inspired and decided to take up basketball at about 8-9 years old.”

“I think that I really enjoyed the game as I started to progress into the national team. Initially when I started I never knew that I could go far in this sport because of my size and my lack stamina.”

Raj has certainly gone far in basketball and is about to suit up for the Senior National Team once again at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 East Region Pre-Qualifiers. This will be Raj’s third time playing for Singapore after stints at the SEABA Championship 2017 and the previous round of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifiers. He still has yet to log major minutes in key games and 18-year-old is slowly getting his feet wet at this level.

“First of all, I must thank my coaches for trusting and giving me the opportunity to play in the senior men’s team,” says Raj. “For every kid that is playing basketball now, their dream would definitely be the national team! For me to be in the team at a young age, there’s definitely pressure but I would embrace it and use it to push me to the next level. It’s definitely good to start young so you are exposed to more senior players and higher level of playing.”

The Singapore National Team, in particular, is a good exposure for Raj to learn from. Fellow senior countrymen like Delvin Goh and Russel Low were included into the Senior National Team early in their careers, giving Raj the perfect advisors to guide him through his development. Raj loves nothing more than going toe to toe with them during practice.

“[When] I started training with the national team, training and playing against Russel Low and Delvin Goh was something I enjoyed most. They are tough opponents and scoring on them or defending them well would make me happy,” Raj says.

Nonetheless, the Singapore National Team is a tight-knit group and everyone on the team is more than willing to pick up and help their little (but not so small) brother whenever he needs it.

“The seniors have been really helpful both on and off the court and have been constantly giving me advice and encouragement,” says the 6’7” youngster of his peers. “When I first got into the national team, I was already familiar with most of them from playing against them in the division 1 league in Singapore and I think that all of them have been equally helpful in helping me adjust with the national team.”

The promising post player is showing signs of positive development, displaying a soft touch around the rim and on his jumpshot.

If he can mix that with his already big frame and improve his footwork, Singapore can look forward to a long bright future with him in the middle. However, when you ask Raj what he has gained most from practicing with his elder teammates, he proudly emphasizes his mindset development over the other technical basketball skills.

“The competitiveness of some of the senior guys, the discipline they have and the effort they’ve put in daily to improve themselves!” answers Raj.

It’s never easy to step up to the Senior National Team level at such a young age and not get consumed by the pressure that comes with it. The transition from playing among teammates and opponents your age to keeping up with faster, stronger, and more physically mature players can be overwhelming – but it can also be highly rewarding if you can pull through. Lavin Raj is banking on his passion and love for the game to help push himself through and off to the next level, starting at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 East Region Pre-Qualifiers.

“Like what I said earlier,” Raj says with a smile. “I will embrace the pressure and use it to push myself even harder. My passion is the same, regardless of what level of basketball I’m playing.”

FIBA