9 Indian-origin sportspersons in the US: Where they studied and how it shaped their journey

Time of India

21 hours ago

9 Indian-origin sportspersons in the US
Indian-origin athletes competing in the US remain a small but steadily growing group, breaking new ground across sports like tennis, golf, football, and wrestling. While their on-field achievements often draw headlines, what's equally compelling is where their journeys began — in classrooms, training academies, and college campuses across America.
Many of these athletes balanced rigorous academics with elite-level competition, often paving unconventional paths to national and international arenas.
Here we look at the educational backgrounds of nine such sportspersons, tracing the schools and universities that shaped their early development and helped launch their athletic careers. Their stories offer a window into ambition, identity, and the evolving presence of Indian-origin talent in American sports.
Rajeev Ram
Sport:
Tennis
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Born in Denver, Colorado to Indian parents, Rajeev Ram is one of the most successful doubles tennis players to represent the US He won an Olympic silver medal in mixed doubles (2016) and multiple Grand Slam titles. His foundational tennis years were shaped in the US, where collegiate tennis gave him a platform to sharpen his competitive instincts and decision-making under pressure.
Samir Banerjee
Sport:
Tennis
Education
:
Stanford University
A rising tennis star, Samir Banerjee gained international attention after winning the Wimbledon Boys' Singles title in 2021.
Born in New Jersey, he chose to pursue both academics and sport by enrolling at a top-tier university, allowing him to balance professional-level tennis with education.
Brandon Chillar
Sport:
American Football
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Brandon Chillar made history as one of the few Indian-origin athletes to play in the NFL. A linebacker known for his years with the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams, he started his football career early in high school and then moved on to a competitive college football environment.
Playing at the NCAA Division I level was a major stepping stone toward his professional career.
Govind Nanda
Sport:
Tennis
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Govind Nanda is a professional tennis player of Indian origin who grew up in Southern California. He represented the US at the junior level, including appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open. Before turning pro, he played college tennis at UCLA, one of the top athletic programs in the country. Known for his agility and fighting spirit, Nanda's time in college helped him transition smoothly into the international tennis circuit, where he continues to rise in the ATP rankings.
Nishesh Basavareddy
Sport:
Tennis
Education:
Stanford University
Nishesh Basavareddy is one of the most promising Indian-origin tennis players rising through the US ranks. Born in California, he gained national attention after winning the US Open Boys' Doubles title in 2022. Known for his aggressive baseline game and court intelligence, Basavareddy chose to continue his development at the collegiate level, where he now plays for one of the top tennis programs in the US His decision to compete in the NCAA has allowed him to grow his game while pursuing academics — a path increasingly taken by top-tier athletes.
Sim Bhullar
Sport:
Basketball
Education:
New Mexico State University
Sim Bhullar was born in Canada to Indian parents but played collegiate basketball in the US, eventually making history as the first player of Indian descent to appear in an NBA game. At 7'5', his presence in college basketball drew attention from the league. His university years offered him the chance to refine his game and handle the spotlight before stepping into professional basketball.
Aman Gupta
Sport:
Golf
Education:
Oklahoma State University
Aman Gupta is part of the new generation of Indian-origin athletes making waves in US collegiate sports.
As a golfer competing at the top amateur level, his college program offers world-class training, exposure to elite competitions, and academic flexibility that supports his sports ambitions.
Neha Uberoi
Sport:
Tennis
Education:
Princeton University
Neha Uberoi was once among the top 200 women's tennis players in the world. Born in New Jersey, she left her studies early to pursue a professional career, competing on the WTA circuit. She later returned to finish her degree and has since become an advocate for mental health and fitness, particularly among women in sport — blending her experience as an athlete with her academic interests.
Arjan Bhullar
Sport:
Wrestling/MMA
Education:
Simon Fraser University (Canada)
Though born and raised in Canada, Arjan Bhullar trained and competed across North America, including US-based events. A former Olympian in wrestling and ONE Championship heavyweight titleholder in MMA, he used his university years to master freestyle wrestling before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
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