A pair of Abbotsford basketball players have landed scholarships from Algoma University.
Devin Brar, a Grade 12 forward with the Abbotsford Senior basketball team, will join the men's hoops squad, while Rick Hansen Secondary senior Daya Bhogal is among the new recruits for the women's team.
Algoma is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and the Thunderbirds are gearing up for their first season in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) league, which is part of the top-tier Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).
The 6'5" Brar was a four-year starter with the Panthers, and is a longtime member of the B.C. provincial age-class teams. He helped the U17 squad win a bronze medal at nationals last summer.
Algoma head coach Thomas Cory said he's "very excited" to add Brar to the roster.
"Devin adds size to our court, especially in the wing position," Cory said. "He is an exceptional shooter which will help spread the floor."
Brar, who will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Justice, said that playing at the CIS level is a "great opportunity" for him.
"I'm excited to play amongst strong athletes in the OUA with the Thunderbirds," he said. "When I visited, the coaching staff and other players were very friendly and great role models. And I really liked the university. It seems like a great fit for me."
Bhogal, a 5'8" wing, averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game with the Hurricanes girls basketball team. She was the school's athlete of the year from 2010-12, basketball MVP in '09 and '11, and volleyball MVP in '10.
Algoma women's coach Ryan Vetrie called Bhogal "a smart player who makes good decisions."
"She is able to handle and shoot the ball," Vetrie said. "She sees Algoma U as an opportunity to grow both as a player and as a person, and we accept the challenge of helping her in regards to both."
Bhogal was very involved in student life activities at Hansen, and acted as student body vice-president. She also achieved academic success, finishing among the top 10 in her grade in grade point average.
"Algoma U is the best opportunity for me to grow as a player and a person, and contribute to the team, which is all I want to do on a post-secondary team," she said.