Dennis Rodman is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame. At 6-foot-6, he earned that status because of his prominent rebounding prowess and defensive ability, not for scoring since he averaged 7.3 points per game in his career. Ohlone College's Kiratraj Sanghera is not Dennis Rodman and any comparison between a heralded NBA player and a community college player is silly but each demonstrates similar skills.
Sanghera's Impressive Production
On his own, the redshirt sophomore is producing remarkable rebounding and defensive statistics. Try 12.5 boards a game to date, an outstanding 127 offensive and as well as 149 defensive, plus a terrific 64 blocked shots, all in 22 games. Sanghera's personal high of a 36-inch vertical leap is obviously put to good advantage. Add in 14.8 points and 2.2 assists a contest.
In addition to his impressive statistics, Sanghera said, "I am a leader on our team. I see that as making sure the team chemistry and the energy are good and that I'm being a good teammate. I can't say I'm the loudest [talker on the team] but my leadership is a combination of speaking and demonstrating."
Top Skills
But in asking what his best basketball skills are, Sanghera first offered, "I am really coachable. I go out and do the right play and make the right read." Regarding his impressive works on the boards, "in my opinion, it's not size or athleticism, it is effort, it's fighting for the rebounds."
What's interesting is the two basketball talents he cites a influences are recognized by fans for other characteristics other then rebounding. "It's Kobe and LeBron." The reason behind his selections are "their great mindsets." It's the combination of determining what is best to do when and giving your top effort on the court that impresses Sanghera the most.
Asked for his best basketball moments, he recalled "going back to my senior year at American High (Fremont), we were not known for having a great school record and came in as a #14 seed versus #3 Redwood High." American won that matchup in overtime 61-58, with Sanghera tallying 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots. His other fond memory is 'scoring 25 points and grabbing 21 rebounds last December against Los Medanos College." He modestly omitted blocking four shots in that game.
Excellent academics
Despite all the time and attention required by his basketball participation, Sanghera still sports a 4.0 grade point average and that plays into his recruiting goal. That being, "I want to play for a UC or an Ivy League program." Determining what position hebwill play is next to impossible to determine since college rosters are nowhere near set for next season but "I assume it will be as four or a five."
As for assistance provided to him on his basketball journey, he served up "I thank my family -- especially my parents -- since I wouldn't be playing basketball without them, my uncle who pushed me, my cousins and all my coaches and teammates.
In his next step academically, Sanghera will major in Business Administration with a focus on accounting. "I want to be a CPA (Certified Public Accountant)," he explained. If he grabs deductions like he does rebounds and swats away IRS inquiries like basketballs, then he'll definitely be extremely successful.