Navraj Singh Bassi

Nuvraj Singh Bassi is a member of the Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Rough Riders. Nuvraj, a Vancouver native, attended college at the University of Oregon. Despite receiving more than 40 offers for football scholarships, the North Delta Secondary school player chose to stay in the northwest to remain close to his family. He played a few seasons with the Oregon Ducks. My Pac-10 allegiances aside, he is a great player and a great guy. He is a vegetarian and from what I remember he smashed three large cheese pizzas by himself!! I asked how he got so big and he told me instead of milk, he used to drink half and half. The six foot six (6′6″) 294 pounder is going to need the size as the Rough Rides Riders (thanks Behaving Bradley!) intend to play him ironman, on both offense and defense, as a member of the D-line and as a blocking tight-end. Navraj comes from a sports family and they are very enthusiastic about their son’s prospects:
“We are very excited that he will be given an opportunity to showcase his talents and by the grace of God he will excel in the sport that he has loved since he was a child,” Kulwinder Bassi said of his younger son.
“The Saskatchewan coaches are really impressed with his abilities and Navraj is really enjoying the team atmosphere there,” said older brother Pavan, who recently won the Super Heavyweight boxing championship at the Cloverdale arena and will be defending the title at upcoming summer events.

Adarsh player Darsh Singh
Harjinder Singh

Darsh Singh is not only a unique name but also represents a unique personality. Media and Sports are acquiring new Sikh icons and it was time for the game of basketball to have a Sikh player. Representing Trinity University as its co-captain, this smart young man is the cynosure of all eyes–those who like him and also those who not.
In the competitive world of US sports, racial profiling can come easily if you play well but it can become hellish if you play badly. As the only turbaned Sikh to play in the NCAA circuit, he has a huge fan following and his detractors are decreasing by the day.
He may have come into the limelight only recently outside the shores of his campus, but has been the hot favourite of his coach Pat Cunningham and the local populace for the past four years.
Darsh Singh’s turban and flowing beard stand out but he takes everything in his stride and does not loose his cool. Having faced racial discrimination during his adolescent years, he has learnt to live with it and manage it. When free from basketball, he is a faith counselor and does advocacy sessions for various Sikh groups. A mathematician in the making, you may count on him to be one of the few Sikh financial wizards in the US. So, with another turban-wearing Sikh role model, it is time to rejoice and enjoy.