Sacramento Kings sign first NBA player of Indian descent

The Sacramento Kings signed 7-foot-5 center Sim Bhullar to a 10-day contract on Thursday, making him the first player of Indian descent to reach the NBA, ESPN reports.

Bhullar, who was raised in Canada, has been playing in the NBA Development League for the Reno Bighorns, Sacramento's affiliate. He has had a steadfast supporter in Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, a well-established businessman in India, despite Bhullar's struggles to drop extra weight and up his conditioning for the pace of the NBA game.

"He adds a very interesting dimension to the game," Kings coach George Karl said. “And our game is becoming an international game, and India is becoming one of the greatest, largest, biggest democracies in the world."

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