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UBC men's basketball lands Mindy Minhas
The 2013-14 Canada West men's basketball season hasn't even begun but UBC Thunderbirds head coach Kevin Hanson has already landed a major prospect for the 2014-15 season. Mindy Minhas, a 6-foot-4 small forward, has committed to the Thunderbirds basketball program.
"He's one of the top recruits coming out this year," remarked Hanson. "To get a signing of this caliber of player this early is amazing."
The dynamic Minhas has been playing for Drive Basketball, under the guidance of former T-Birds Pasha Bains and Chad Clifford, since he was in elementary school. Minhas is entering his grade 12 year at Vancouver's Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, where Rick Lopez, the 2013 B.C. high school basketball coach of the year, is the bench boss of the senior boys' team.
"I think UBC is where I am supposed to be," said Minhas of his decision to commit to the Thunderbirds. "It is close to home and this is a really good opportunity. I am really looking forward to it.
"I have a really good feeling right now. It's a great day."
This past season, Minhas led his Churchill team to a 13th-place finish at the B.C. High School 'AAA' Boys' Provincial Championships in Langley. He was named the tournament's Most Inspirational Player after averaging 22.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals a game over five appearances. His performance also landed him a spot on the event's Third All-Star Team. Churchill was also declared the Most Inspirational Team of the provincial championships.
For the entire high school season, Minhas averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds and six assists per game.
"He's a true scorer, he's got height, he's got length and he's got the ability to rebound," said Hanson of Minhas. "Mindy passes the ball very well for someone who's a scorer. He's a local guy we're very excited about.
"The best thing for Mindy is that he can now focus on his grade 12 year and just have an outstanding season. We know what he can do. We are very confident he's coming in here to be an impact player at UBC so we're thrilled to have him join our family."
Minhas is quick to give credit to his coaches, including Bains, Clifford and Karn Sharda of Drive as well as Lopez.
"They've had a huge role in my life," said Minhas. "They've developed me to become what I am today. Everything I have today, I owe a lot of it to them."
For more informaton go to www.gothunderbirds.ca.
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