The Toronto Raptors have signed New Mexico State center Sim Bhullar to its developmental team, Raptors 905.

Bhullar last season became the first player of Indian descent to score in the NBA.

He played just three minutes for the Sacramento Kings at the end of last season, but his 7’5″ frame and nationality make him a talking point.

At 360 pounds and height rarely seen in the NBA, he’s an imposing figure.

If nothing else, he can clog the lane on defense and block out the opposing team from getting rebounds.

Unfortunately, a blog in the sports site Fansided treated the Raptors move as more of a marketing gimmick. The article pointed to the large South Asian population in the Toronto area and applauded the move strictly from a public relations viewpoint.

Bhullar was cut loose by the Kings at the end of the season and eventually joined the Canadian National team in the Pan Am Games.

Bhullar, who was born in Toronto, had 10 blocked shots in six games for Canada. He also scored 16 points and helped Canada win a silver medal. Canada also beat the United States 111 to 108 in the semifinal game before losing to Brazil.

He deserves to be treated as more than just a side show. There are plenty of shot blocking specialists in the NBA who are treated as basketball players, not marketing tools. Give the man the respect he deserves.