By Matt Browning

The Life Prep Academy girls basketball team often has foreign players on its roster, but there are two specific players this year that stand out among the rest.

Ann Deodhar and Ann Mary Zachariah, both from India, were both identified by the Global NBA as being prospects for the WNBA.

If that were to happen, they would be the first two players from India to play in the WNBA.

“I was introduced to the Global NBA by a friend of mine who evaluates international basketball players,” Life Prep coach Jeff Henry said. “And yes, we plan on continuing our relationship with Global NBA in the future.”

Deodhar is a 5-7 guard, while Zachariah is a 6-2 guard and both have been vital in Life Prep’s solid start, where they are 5-2 before the holiday break.

“I am glad that I grabbed this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to playing more great basketball games this season,” Deodhar said. “But mostly I’m glad that I have found a family here in Wichita.”

“For me, this was my best opportunity to play basketball,” Zachariah said. “And I am improving in a lot of things and I’m happy to make new friends at school and to meet a loving local family.”

The biggest adjustment, aside from living in a new country, has been the style play.

“In terms of basketball, the biggest adjustment has been that basketball in the states is more physical than in India,” Henry said.

Life Prep is unique in how its roster is built. Currently there are nine different countries represented on Life Prep’s 20-person roster, but Deodhar and Zachariah have found a niche quickly.

“The transition to the team has been relatively easy for both Ann and Siya, because they are both unselfish players who put the success of the team above their personal goals,” Henry said. “Additionally, Siya being a point guard is a natural team leader.”