Sim Bhullar facts for kids
Sim Bhullar with the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers in 2022
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| Born | December 2, 1992 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| High school |
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| Listed height | 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 360 lb (163 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| College | New Mexico State (2012–2014) | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2014 / Undrafted | ||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2014–present | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Reno Bighorns | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Sacramento Kings | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Raptors 905 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Dacin Tigers | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Guangxi Rhinos | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Dacin Tigers | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Taipei Fubon Braves | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Yulon Luxgen Dinos | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Hsinchu JKO Lioneers | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Tainan TSG GhostHawks | ||||||||||||||||
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Gursimran Singh "Sim" Bhullar (born December 2, 1992) is a Canadian professional basketball player. He is known for being the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA. At 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 meters) tall, he is one of the tallest players in NBA history. Sim Bhullar last played for the Tainan TSG GhostHawks in the T1 League in Taiwan.
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Sim Bhullar's Early Life and High School Basketball
Sim Bhullar was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Brampton. He started his high school basketball journey at Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School. Later, he moved to Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, to attend The Kiski School in 2009.
Playing at The Kiski School
During his time at Kiski, Sim was a standout player. He almost achieved a triple-double in many games. A triple-double means getting double-digit numbers (10 or more) in three different stats. For Sim, this was usually points, rebounds, and blocks. He averaged about 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks per game.
In the summer of 2010, Sim played in the FIBA Americas Under-18 tournament. His large size and strong performance impressed many people. In one game against the United States, he scored 14 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots.
Moving to Huntington Prep School
In late 2010, Sim left Kiski and transferred to Huntington Prep School in West Virginia. At Huntington, he worked hard to improve his physical fitness. He managed to reduce his weight from about 367 pounds (166 kg) to 330 pounds (150 kg).
College Basketball Career
Sim Bhullar first planned to play college basketball for Xavier University. However, he changed his mind in August 2011. He decided to play for the New Mexico State Aggies instead.
Why Sim Chose New Mexico State
Sim did not play right away at New Mexico State. The NCAA did not allow him to play immediately. They also rejected the school's appeal. So, he had to wait until the 2012–13 season to play. His younger brother, Tanveer, also joined the New Mexico State team later.
Sim's Performance in College
During his first year (freshman season), Sim played about 24 minutes per game. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. In his second year (sophomore season), he improved even more. He averaged 10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game.
Sim was a key player for New Mexico State. He won the WAC tournament MVP award twice, in 2013 and 2014. He also helped his team reach the NCAA tournament. In April 2014, Sim decided to enter the NBA draft. This meant he gave up his last two years of college eligibility.
Sim Bhullar's Professional Basketball Journey
Sim Bhullar was not chosen in the 2014 NBA draft. However, he still got a chance to play in the NBA.
Joining the Sacramento Kings
After the draft, Sim joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On August 14, 2014, he signed a contract with the Kings. This made him the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team. The Kings later released him in October.
Sim then played for the Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League (now called the G-League). This league helps players develop their skills. On February 22, 2015, he achieved a triple-double for the Bighorns. He scored 26 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and blocked 11 shots.
On April 2, 2015, Sim signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings. Five days later, he made history. He played for 16.1 seconds in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This made him the first player of Indian descent to play in an actual NBA game. He scored his first two NBA points on April 8 against the Utah Jazz. After his 10-day contract ended, the Kings did not keep him.
Playing for Raptors 905
In October 2015, Sim Bhullar joined Raptors 905. This team is also part of the NBA Development League. In the 2015–16 season, he played 39 games for Raptors 905. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Playing in Taiwan and China
After his time in the NBA D-League, Sim Bhullar played basketball in Asia.
- In August 2016, he signed with the Dacin Tigers in the Taiwanese Super Basketball League.
- In April 2017, he played for the Guangxi Rhinos in China's National Basketball League.
- He returned to the Dacin Tigers for the 2017–2018 season.
- In 2019, he played for the Taipei Fubon Braves.
- In 2020, he joined the Yulon Luxgen Dinos.
- From 2021 to 2022, he played for the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers in Taiwan's P. League+.
- From 2022 to 2024, he played for the Tainan TSG GhostHawks in the T1 League.
Sim Bhullar's National Team Career
Sim Bhullar has also represented his home country, Canada, in international basketball.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
In 2010, Sim played for Canada in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in five games. Canada won the bronze medal in this tournament.
FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 2011, Sim played for Canada in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. In six games, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Canada finished in 11th place in this competition.
Sim Bhullar's Family Life
Sim Bhullar's parents moved to Canada from the state of Punjab in India. His father, Avtar, is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall. His mother, Varinder, is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. Neither of his parents played basketball when they were young. Sim's father grew up playing kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport.
Sim has an older sister named Avneet. He also has a younger brother named Tanveer. Tanveer is also a very tall basketball player, standing at 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm). Tanveer played college basketball for New Mexico State, just like Sim, and later for Missouri State.
Images for kids
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Sim Bhullar with the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Sim Bhullar para niños
- List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history
- List of Canadians in the National Basketball Association
