Prospect Spotlight: Arrish Bhandal (2021)
After missing the entirety of his sophomore season, 6-foot-8 power forward Arrish Bhandal is eager to get back into action this summer.
The Archbishop Mitty product had surgery last fall and is near full recovery now, when he is able to return to the court, Bhandal expects to get right back into high motor mode.
“When I’m out there on the floor, I like to be an energy player, I like to be all over the place, rebounding, playing defense, stuff like that,” said Bhandal.
“I’m seen as not a pure post but someone that can stretch the floor a little bit, like a stretch-four. I can take my game outside, I can shoot the 3, the mid-range. And defensively, I think I’m a good rim protector.”
The surgery was on his left ankle, and although it was tough for Bhandal to miss out on his sophomore season, he tried to embrace a more mental aspect of the game.
“I tried to embrace the role of trying to be a coach on the bench along with the actual coaches, just trying to help out my teammates as best I can, holding them accountable and just being a leader,” he said.
He’ll be cleared to play again in two weeks, but will wait until summer to get back out and play grassroots ball. Bhandal will play with Team Lillard 16U on the adidas Gauntlet.
As a freshman, Bandahl says San Francisco verbally offered him. He’s been working to cultivate a relationship with the Dons coaches since.
This summer, he’s hoping to see his recruitment ramp up.
“This summer, I’m trying to get as much exposure as I can. I don’t think I’ll be able to show the absolute best of my abilities because of the surgery and all that, and I’m fine with that,” said Bhandal.
“I feel like as long as I keep playing hard and get good minutes on the team, I can be a real good prospect for the coaches to see.”