With the scheduled start of this year’s NBA season come and gone with no resolution, it is looking more likely that basketball fans will have to turn elsewhere to get their fix. One such place is the NBA Development League. The 16 team league is holding their draft tonight and one player currently training at IMG Academies is ready to hear his name called after a long summer of training.

I have a great shot to be an impact player and because many teams have shown high interest in me, I am working hard to make the most of this opportunity.

Why would they not, even across the gym Koshwal is an imposing figure standing at 6 foot 10 and 260 pounds.  In 2009-2010 while playing at Depaul he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game in the rigorous Big East Conference. After declaring early for the 2010 draft, Koshwal had an above average showing at the NBA Summer League and opted to spend a year in Spain where he says he really learned how to manage himself:

“In college everything was scheduled, you get text messages telling you to make sure you were in the gym for training. Once you’re out of school you realize that it’s on you to make your own routine.

Like many that have come through IMG Academies Koshwal understand the importance the mental side of the game.

“I had to be mentally tough in Spain and this will help me greatly this year.  I made myself work to get better and understand better what the pro game is like.”

During his months on campus he has really focused on preparing himself for the D-League and the eventual move to the NBA. Everything from his strength, movement and on the court skills are being refined by the many coaches at the academy.

Said Koshwal, “IMG is a great spot, they work with you on and off the court.”

Koshwal would not be the first player that IMG has helped train to go from the D-League to the NBA. Both Alonzo Gee and Marqus Blakely have made IMG Academies their off-season training home before their D-League stints.

Even though he is not sure where he will end up, Koshwal has one message for the fans sure to soon learn his name, “Get ready for a high energy and competitive player.” For a little bit of that energy check out this quick highlight reel taped during his morning on the court training.