Netflix releases 'One in a Billion' - The story of Satnam Singh

Netflix has released new documentary 'One in a Billion' - about the incredible journey of Satnam Singh, the first Indian-born player drafted into the NBA. SBS Punjabi spoke with his father about the incredible journey he has made.

Source: Netflix/OBB Pictures

Netflix has released an exclusive documentary based on the life of Satnam Singh who is the first Indian-born player drafted into the NBA.

Born into a humble farmer’s family in 1995, in Ballo Ke, a village near Barnala, Punjab, Singh has certainly come a long way since then.

His father, Balbir Singh, and his paternal grandfather were wheat farmers and millers.

In an interview with SBS Punjabi last year, Balbir Singh told SBS that his height was once a source of embarrassment for him and invited taunts from villagers.

"At times, I wanted to commit suicide because of this," Singh told SBS Punjabi.

"But now, it is for everyone to see, whatever we could achieve, is because of this."

Listen to the full interview with Balbir Singh, on SBS Radio Punjabi below:

LISTEN TO

http://audiomedia-sbs.akamaized.net/punjabi_150629_422365.mp3

06:49

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Satnam was selected to the NBA Development League by Dallas Mavericks in 2015.

Before Satnam's inclusion to NBA, the Kings made history by signing Sim Bhullar, but while he was of Indian descent, he wasn't drafted and was actually born in Canada.

At 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) and 290 lb (132 kg), Satnam’s journey from rural India to USA’s big basketball league had many ups and downs.

‘One in a Billion’ documentary is produced by OBB Pictures, which is world famous for producing biopics and documentaries.

The movie is produced to covers the incredible journey of Satnam Singh who is a basketball icon in a cricket crazy nation.

The documentary starts with the backdrop of the 21-year old’s home of Ballo Ke, Barnala and climaxes in a vibrant night at New York City where he attempts to make history in the 2015 NBA draft.

"OBB has been tirelessly documenting Satnam's incredible journey over the past few years as he attempted to change history for India and the sport of basketball and we are very excited to share that story on Netflix," Michael D. Ratner, CEO and president of OBB Pictures said in a statement.

"Satnam is playing an important role in both expanding the popularity of the game in one of the world’s most rapidly emerging markets and furthering the NBA's global appeal."

It is anticipated that after watching how an Indian basketball player from a small village can achieve his dreams at such a young age, the story will have a deep down impact on prospective young Indian players.

Satnam Singh at his native village in Punjab Source: Supplied