KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Tennessee men's basketball is believed to have one of just three players of Indian descent in Division One basketball players on their roster, according to the team.
Kaylan Makan is a sophomore on the Vols whose main responsibility is to be on the scout team. He takes pride in being Indian and wants to represent the Vols well.
He is believed to be the first SEC men's basketball student-athlete of Gujarati heritage. Gujarat is a state in western India. Makan found that out when he got to UT.
“I didn’t even know," he said. "The SEC is insane. I didn’t even know I’d have the chance to be here.”
A transfer from the Citadel, he joined the Vols this season. Head coach Rick Barnes saw a lot of value in bringing Makan as a walk-on.
“The fact that he’s played a Division One level and has been around it," he said. "It's been a good fit for all of us."
Makan is working hard on the scout team and doing what the team needs to grow. He is proud to represent Indians and be an inspiration for younger Indian kids playing basketball.
“My aunt and uncle have a lot of friends here and I’ve gotten to meet them too," the Vols guard said. "They have a lot of younger kids so I’ve gotten to meet them and get closer with them and I've gotten closer with the youth.”
His parents are proud of what their son is representing in NCAA basketball.
“It’s really awesome for us," said Bhu Makan, his dad. "It makes our community, our people feel like they can grow, they can do the same thing too.”
Malkan takes pride in his heritage, but also in the university he plays for.
“Soon as I saw my name on that jersey, I was freaking out," he said. "And then the SEC part. They say the SEC means more and it does."
As he wears the orange and white, he hopes to get the most out of being at UT.
“Just being here and learning from everybody that I’ve met here and inside the program, I just wish to have lasting relationships with everybody," Makan said.