UPDATE: The Sacramento Kings announced Sim Bhullar’s historic signing Thursday afternoon.
Kings sign @SimBhullar2 to 10-Day Contract. #SacramentoProud
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— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 2, 2015
According to multiple reports, the Sacramento Kings are expected to ink Sim Bhullar to a 10-day deal, making him the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA.
The big guy currently hoops for Sacramento’s D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns.
The Kings will have a roster spot opening up Thursday once David Wear’s 10-day contract expires.
Per the AP:
The 7-foot-5, 360-pound Bhullar is being called up from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns. The 22-year-old center will be on the roster Friday when the Kings host the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sacramento is intrigued by Bhullar’s size and heritage. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is the NBA’s first Indian-born owner and is trying to expand the league’s presence in his native country.
When the Kings announced in August that Bhullar would compete for a roster spot in training camp, Ranadive called India the NBA’s “next great frontier.” He said Bhullar “represents one of many that will emerge from that region as the game continues to garner more attention and generate ever-increasing passion among a new generation of Indian fans.” […] Bhullar was born in Toronto to Indian-born parents and played AAU basketball with two recent No. 1 overall picks from Canada — Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. He played two seasons for New Mexico State, twice winning Western Athletic Conference tournament MVP and leading the Aggies to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
