14-year-old Tomar to train in Stellazzurra Academy basketball academy

Bangalore: India's 14-year-old basketball player Harshwardhan Tomar has been selected for a three-month tryout period with Rome-based Stellazzurra Academy, it was announced on Thursday.

Harshwardhan caught the attention of the international scouts at October's Asian Under-16 Championship in Jakarta.

The 6ft, 9inch player from Gwalior collected eight points and six rebounds per game with the Indian team.

Now, Harshwardhan has been given a three-month tryout with the Stellazzurra Academy to play and study. If he does well, Tomar could land a full scholarship at the academy, according to a release.

Harshwardhan flew out of India on Wednesday. He will be training with the academy team, and playing in some unofficial matches to gain exposure and adjust to the system in Europe.

Explaining the recruitment, Mauro Matteo, operations manager for Asiatic and Pacific Region at the Stellazzurra Basketball Academy, said, "We have our network of talent scouts in Asia and one of them noticed this kid...Harsh (has) got physical skills and a very good shape to work on, with the target to build him as an international level player."

Harshwardhan's imminent international move comes on the heels of numerous Indian talents who have quietly moved abroad for exposure at the high school, college and professional level.