Stars from yesteryears twinkle their delight at seeing a Nagpada boy who plays both courts with equal proficiency, is as keen about the defensive rebounds as he is adept at the offensive ones. Moreover, the 17-year-old has maintained the disciplined demeanour and quiet intensity that was commonplace in times when Bachhoo Khan churned out champion-material year after year from the Nagpada stable. Sohel of course keeps his focus, without the legendary taskmaster’s person in attendance.

The lad has the makings of a Nagpada giant - two decades after Bachhoo Khan died willing the responsibility of keeping the talent flowing to local seniors. He hopes to make the India-squad over ten years after Shahid Qureshi limped out weak-kneed ending the Neighbourhood’s tryst with internationals.

But so many promises have failed to deliver, dropping the discipline-guard in their fading wake, that Nagpada refuses to risk calling any of its own a sure-shot winner.

So, Sohel continues to bear the verbal brunt from the legends - on-court instructions that plainly tear apart his game publicly, and muttered-expletives that evoke a wry smile, no excuses from the promising youngster. Bachhoo Khan would approve - both, of the mistakes Sohel doesn’t repeat once chastised and his willingness to soak in the pressure, even that prickly swear-word.

“Good ball-sense, a timely jump, perfect knee-posture - he’s shown he comes from the Nagpada school of basketball,” says coach Afzal Khan, of the youngster.

“But more than all that he puts in the hours, chases the most improbable balls from court-sides, is punctual, and doesn’t argue with refs,” adds Noor Khan, another mentor. Officials never over-turn decisions - Sohel has plainly learnt; fouls stacking up always hurt your own side, he knows. Finally, he logs the points required and alongside the prolific Shamsher Makrani, forms the fulcrum of the Nagpada colts’ side, graduating to seniors next year.

His family could always afford the best sneakers for their boy, but Sohel’s beginnings on the basketball court, where the shoe-size mattered not the brand, were humble. A lean, small boy with a mop of curls, he promptly got bullied and elbowed by the big blokes. “I was not as good as them,” he explains, unfazed by the big bulk that commanded his submission, but acutely aware of the many skills he would be required to master to not get coerced when he turned up on the court. This was four years ago.

Now, his senior rivals are wary of his presence, if not quite intimidated by his appearance. “He’s good but needs to add strength to make it in the big league,” points Abbas Moontasir, impressed with his attitude that adds a layer of fat to his frame, though the boy is yet to take to gymming, hoping he shoots up in the next few years. Sohel is scared the weight-training - just yet - might stiffen his muscles and halt vertical growth. “I have large hands, and that’s an advantage for rebounds and screening. And scaring rivals,” he jokes, adding that his biggest asset is the brain, sharpened by all the tricks learnt on late-evenings in Nagpada’s heady hustle and chiselled at solo sessions, where he strives towards perfection of all basketball actions.