Until the age of 15, Susan Florentina had never dribbled a basketball or even watched a full game. But today, the 26-year-old is a proud member of the Indian national basketball team, wearing her country’s jersey with honour. Her journey from a novice to the Indian team is a testament to her determination and relentless pursuit of excellence in a sport she once knew nothing about.
Growing up in a small town in Idukki, Kerala, Susan stood out—not for her athletic skills, but for her height. By the time she was 15, she was nearly six feet tall, a physical advantage that caught the attention of her teacher Smithesh Johnson. He suggested to her parents, Saji T V and Elizabeth John, that she try basketball.
What started as an experiment soon turned into a passion as Susan quickly realized that height alone was not enough to excel. “I was never into any sports, especially basketball. I got into the game because of my height. But once I started playing, I fell in love with it. I am thankful to my first coach Biju D Theman for introducing me to this wonderful game. Things weren’t easy at first—I wasn’t making much progress in my career. Still, I decided not to give up. I was just an average player with minimal skills. There were several occasions when people asked me to quit and focus on other career options,” Susan told “Open Digest”.
Her real breakthrough came when she started training under coach Martin Mathew while pursuing her graduation at Alphonsa College in Pala, Kottayam. Determined to make up for lost time, she immersed herself in the sport, undergoing gruelling training sessions. Her hard work paid off when she was selected for KSEB’s team.
“Being selected for KSEB changed my life. I was lucky to receive the best training facilities. With the guidance of my coach Aju Jacob, I worked on my footwork, ball-handling, and court awareness. This helped me elevate my game to a different level,” Susan said.
A couple of years ago, the sudden passing of her father deeply shook her, but her mother, Elizabeth John, stood by her, providing the confidence and support she needed to stay focused.
Her dedication bore fruit when she secured a spot in the state team and played the nationals for three consecutive years. She impressed selectors with her agility, defensive prowess, and ability to dominate under the basket. Her defining moment came in 2025 when she was called up to join the Indian national team.
“I owe my achievement to God. I was just an ordinary girl with no particular skill in any sport. I never imagined I would be where I am today. It’s purely God’s blessing and my mother’s prayers,” she said. Susan is also proud and happy for her two friends from the KSEB basketball team – Aneesha Cleetus and Sreekala R – who are also in the Indian team. Sreekala R is the captain of the team.
