by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings have signed 7-foot 5-inch center Sim Bhullar to a 10 day contract. Bhullar had been playing for the Kings D-League team in Reno. He was also a member of the Kings championship Las Vegas Summer League team.

The signing is also historic for the NBA. Bhullar is the first player of Indian descent to ever sign a contract with a NBA team and be placed on its regular season roster.

In Reno, Bhullar was averaging 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 25.8 minutes per game. He recorded 11 double-doubles. Bhullar also posted a triple-double putting up 26 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and blocking 11 shots in a game versus the LA Defenders.

Bhullar reported to the Summer League weighing 400 pounds. In Reno, he lost 40 pounds which Bhullar says has helped him improve his game.

Bhullar played his college ball at New Mexico State. He was named WAC freshman of the year and was the Western Conference Tournament MVP twice.