Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia will be the first-ever fan named in the Basketball Hall of Fame!
If you’re a Raptors fan, you’re probably familiar with the man, the myth, the legend, and now Hall of Famer, Nav Bhatia, aka @superfan_nav.
A true icon.
Congratulations on being inducted to the @Hoophall, @superfan_nav. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Fw8TAFL8NN
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 17, 2021
Back in 1995, when the Raptors had their first game, Bhatia bought a ticket on a whim, and since then hasn’t missed a single home game! His dedication to the team is recognized globally. In 2019, Bhatia was gifted the championship ring by the raptors, which compliments his new Hall of Fame ring quite well!
His turban, championship ring, and superfan jersey gifted to him by the team in 1988 are now placed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The display is very distinctive to Bhatia’s legacy,
On his Twitter, @superfan_nav, he describes it as,
“The name Superfan Nav Bhatia will be immortalized. There is now a turban and the first fan honoured within the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. I am overcome with emotions today.”
Brampton, Ontario and all of Canada are cheering from the sidelines for Bhatia.
Over the past 25 years, he has purchased roughly 3,000 tickets to home games, gifting them to members of the GTA Sikh community. Many of those tickets have gone to children and families who could never afford a courtside ticket.
Bhatia came to Canada in 1984. As an immigrant, he faced many hardships, one being racism. Bhatia thinks it important for his community to celebrate their culture and encourage diversity and resilience in Canada and on the courtside. Every year, the superfan buys tickets for members of his community for the Sikh New Year, Vaisakh.
In 2018, he rightfully received a Royal Bank of Canada Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, an honour given to those who contribute to the Canadian economy and Canadian society and Canada overall.
Nav Bhatia is bringing the world together through basketball, and he has all of Canada’s support!