Bhatti earns all-Canadian nod again
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Sultan Bhatti has cemented himself as one of the best Brandon University Bobcats of all time.
The Montreal native was named a second-team all-Canadian for the second straight year on Wednesday night, becoming the first two-time all-Canadian Bobcat men’s basketball player since Earnest Bell in 2001.
“It feels good. I came here as a kid that had no hype around his name and I left here with my last two years being an all-Canadian,” Bhatti said.
Brandon University Bobcats Sultan Bhatti was named a second-team all-Canadian at the U Sports men’s basketball national championship on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
“It shows working really hard and perfecting your craft brings you a long way.
“Without the help of my coaches, my teammates, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.”
This time, he isn’t alone. Bobcat first-year Munroop Gill was named to the U Sports all-rookie team after earning the Canada West rookie of the year nod.
“It just shows the future here is going to be bright. More people are going to come here seeing that me and other kids are getting recognized,” Bhatti said.
Bhatti didn’t expect the individual accolades when he arrived at BU.
He realized he was essentially the third or fourth option behind Anthony Tsegakele and Jahmaal Gardner in the Bobcats’ high-octane offence, limited to spot-up three-point shooting and rebounding.
Bhatti played the role well, earning a spot on the all-rookie team.
Two years later, Tsegakele and Gardner left before the start of the 2023-24 season.
“I knew I could take a major step into being on the best in the country. (Point guard) Khari (Ojeda-Harvey) was helping me out with that and I just knew.
“As soon as he left, I had to change the way I play, create my own shot and create for other people.”
For the past two years, Bhatti has been one of the top scorers, rebounders and passers in Canada West, helping a young Bobcats team sneak into the playoffs both years.
Bhatti’s time as a Bobcat is over, but he said he’s signing with Stayline Sports, an agency that has helped plenty of U Sports players land professional contracts.
He spent last summer with the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Montreal Alliance, but hasn’t signed anywhere for this summer yet. But he isn’t concerned about that.
“I’d like a summer where, after five years, I can take it easy and work on my game,” Bhatti said. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com