The first NCAA basketball player to ever wear a turban while playing is remembered in an exhibition at the Smithsonian, Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape a Nation. (Photo from Trinity University)
According to Sikh 24, the jersey of Darsh Preet Singh is on display at the exhibition.
He didn’t play much during that first year, but became a crowd favorite with fans chanting his name, urging the coach to put him in the game.
By his senior season, he was named co-captain of the team and played every game.
“My initial impression of Darsh was that there was no way someone who looked like him could be good at basketball. I was totally wrong,” said teammate Michael Tobolowsky. “By getting to know Darsh, I grew to appreciate and respect him as a basketball player, and more importantly, as a friend who I truly love.”
Others recall when the team had to fight the referees to let Darsh play while wearing his turban.
Darsh is forever grateful of the support he received from his teammates.
“I remember my coach standing up to a referee and another coach who challenged my right to play,” he said. “I remember my teammates standing up to opponents when they would say offensive things. There were even times when our fans would stand up to opposing fans when they would taunt me.”
You can read about Darsh’ memories of growing up playing basketball and his reaction to the exhibition in Sikh 24.
