Eesher Singh Sarai Creates History as First Canadian Turbaned Sikh to Commit to NCAA Division I Basketball, Signs with Winthrop

Eesher Singh Sarai, a 6-foot-9 forward from Surrey, British Columbia, has committed to Winthrop University, becoming the first Canadian turbaned Sikh to play NCAA Division I basketball. He is also only the second turbaned Sikh overall to reach the D1 level, after Dipanjot Singh, who played for the University of Illinois–Chicago in 2009.

Sarai spent the 2025–26 season at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, where he averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 59.5 percent from the field during conference play. He ranked second in the conference in blocks. Ellsworth reached the NJCAA Division II National Championship game that season.

He earned ICCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention and All-Defensive Team honours, and was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament First Team. His season-high was 29 points against Iowa Western. He also maintained a 3.95 GPA at Ellsworth.

Sarai stands 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. Before Ellsworth, he attended Great Futures Prep in Seattle and Balboa Academy after moving from British Columbia. He drew recruitment interest from Cornell, Chicago State, Idaho State, and Mercyhurst before committing to Winthrop, a member of the Big South Conference.

He is expected to join the Winthrop Eagles for the 2026–27 season.

Picture Courtesy: Instagram/ Eesher Singh Sarai