A potential college basketball franchise is being developed at tiny Saltsburg Kiski School, a prep school of 200 students in grades 9-12 located 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. Bhullar (15), Jankovic (53) and G. Bhullar (2)
Photo courtesy of Stephen J. Brotschul III, Kiski School
First-year coach Daryn Freedman entered his new position armed and dangerous with three towering transfers from Toronto, Canada. They are, in order of size:
- Sim Bhullar, a 7-foot-4, 300-pound sophomore
- Tanveer Bhullar, a 7-foot-2½, 285-pound freshman and Sim’s brother
- Stefan Jankovic, a 6-foot-9½, 210-pound sophomore
The first thing Freedman wants to get straight is that his rangy players "are not projects. The biggest thing is getting them in shape. At our first workout, Sim made it up and down the court twice and then walked the rest of the time. Now he’s mad if I take him out. Now both (brothers) want to play the entire time.
"When Tan came in, he never had dunked. After one and one-half months into the season, he made a two-handed dunk. Since then, he’s been pounding on people."
Freedman, who has been an assistant college coach under John Calipari and Ron Everthart, says, "I would compare Sim to (former Russian star) Arvydas Sabonis. He has very good hands and moves very well for a big guy. He has quick feet and a great shooting touch. He’s really coming along."
Sim, who already has lost 15 pounds, admits that his biggest adjustment to American basketball has been "running up and down the court. I wake up early in the morning to run and jog. Scoring has been the easiest – mostly from the post, but I also have a good mid-range jumper. My range now is 18 to 19 feet."
Sim has led the Cougars to a 16-3 record while averaging an impressive 18.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 8.1 blocks. He even had a triple-double consisting of 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Freedman notes that Tanveer "tries to pattern himself after Tim Duncan. He has power and finesse. He can be a great 3-point shooter, because he has an excellent touch. His big problem is foot quickness and strength."
The younger Bhullar brother concedes that "dribbling" has been his biggest challenge thus far. "I’ve been working on it a lot. Post moves – high and low – have been the easiest. Right now I’m a power player trying to work on finesse."
Tanveer started the year as a sixth man, but in recent games has joined Sim and Jankovic in what must be the tallest prep lineup in the USA. He is averaging 14.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.2 blocks. He usually plays the high post, with Sim down low.
Freedman characterizes Jankovic as "a sleek 6-foot-9 Keith Van Horn or Dirk Nowitzki. He’s a big guard in a tall, long body. He can handle and pass. Every two or three games, he jumps over someone and dunks. His weakness is (a lack of) strength." 
Tanveer Bhullar, Gursimren Bhullar, Stefan Jankovic
Photo courtesy of Stephen J. Brotschul III, Kiski School
Jankovic said he knew who the Bhullar brothers were back home, but "honestly didn’t know they would be here until a week ahead of time. When I heard, I was really excited. I would have more versatility added and could play on the wing. I’m more mobile and they’re a lot more effective down low.
"Every day we watch each other get better. Our low-post drills are amazing – how hard it is to stop them. It’s almost impossible. When I have to guard them in the post, I get pushed out of the lane easily."
Interestingly, Jankovic was born in Serbia, but his family moved to Canada when he was 6½ years old due to the war. The Bhullar brothers were born in Canada, but their parents are natives of India. All three are quick to admit they are here to earn college scholarships and chase their NBA dreams.
The versatile Jankovic already has turned in a spectacular quadruple-double: 14 rebounds, 13 points, 11 assists and 10 blocks. He is averaging 15 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.4 blocks.
They are something of a traveling circus, because everywhere they go they are besieged by onlookers who want to take their pictures and get their autographs.
With so many tall, young players, the Cougars appear vulnerable to pressing defenses.
"The press hasn’t really hurt us all year," Freedman pointed out. "We have two Division I guards (both post-grads). We press all of the game – even with the big guys. With our zone press, we take up a good portion of the court."
Freedman revealed that he wants to play in more national tournaments next year and he may not have post-grad players.
Meanwhile, when the season ends, the Bhullar brothers are going to try out for the baseball team. Sim says he wants to play shortstop. Has anyone ever seen a 7-4 shortstop?
