Jaldeep who is better known as `Jimmy' in the sports circle got a chance to represent Chandigarh youth basketball team in the nationals (1989). It was a stepping stone for a young lad, who a couple of days back watched the other teenagers from the bench, sweating it out on the court.``It was a big event in my life, I was so excited by the whole affair, that I couldn't eat food that night,'' recalls Jaldeep.

The same year, Jaldeep also made it to the junior side and proved his critics wrong that his entry into the team was a fluke as he helped his side win two matches in the junior national meet.

Since then, Jaldeep has been a regular figure at the national level.

``It was a tough world, but through consistent training, I made it to the top,''disclosed Jaldeep. The young cager, in addition to his three hours of training, also incorporated two days of gym workout. And, the results were outstanding. It added power to his lean frame, which enabled him to latch on to the offensive and defensive rebounds with greater ease. Improved physical fitness also saw him knocking at the Indian doors and he was one of the probables for the junior national camp. ``I was selected for the junior India camp in 1990, but couldn't make it to the final 12, said the cager. He emerged more determined than ever before and spent more hours on the court.

The same year, he graduated to the senior level and represented Chandigarh in the senior nationals held at Calcutta. But the real break came during the 92' Bangalore nationals, when he helped his side reach the quarterfinal from a lower pool.

As time passed by, Jaldeep grew both in stature and experience. Lucrative offers stated flooding in from all corners. He soon found that Chandigarh is no place to stay, if he wanted to hit big. An offer by TISCO was a welcome relief and he shifted to Bihar. ``Although, I learnt the basic of the game in Chandigarh, it doesn't have the system to groom a player of a national calibre,'' said Jaldeep.

In 1994, he represented Bihar and gave a new look the team. With his deft court craft he broke the jinx and enabled his team to reach the final after a long gap. In the finals, however, his 34 points came to a naught as they narrowly missed to the title to Punjab.

Now standing at six foot eight-and-half inch tall, Jaldeep seems to be having a knack of winning matches for his side. In his four year stint with TISCO and representing Bihar, he had helped them win most of the matches. Last year, out of six meets, Bihar won four. However, his best came in the last nationals held at Ludhiana when Bihar beat Punjab in their own den to clinch the title. Jaldeep on an average got 25 points in the whole tournament.

After making a mark at the national level, and also playing a few tournaments in the Asian circuit, Jaldeep feels that he is yet to realise his true potential. ``Basketball is spreading like a wild fire all over the world. But, in India, the management of the game is so poor, that it takes a long time to catch up the other Asian giants,'' lamented Jaldeep. So what has the TISCO cager up his sleeves? ``I am planning to go to the Mecca (read USA) of basketball. I know, It is a cut throat competition. But, I have no choice, I want to hit big,'' and with these words, he tightened his shoe lace and went for shooting practice.