Nilavan’s path was not easy.

Despite earning conference honors and scoring over 1,100 career points in high school, he initially received no Division I scholarship offers. Instead of giving up, he took the difficult route — attending Link Year Prep for a postgraduate season to continue improving his game.

That extra year changed everything.

Through relentless work, shooting development, and belief in himself, Nilavan earned an opportunity with Providence College basketball — one of the nation’s respected Division I programs competing in the historic Big East Conference.

His story has become a powerful example for young Indian American athletes:

• Your background does not define your ceiling

• Hard work can outlast rejection

• Representation matters

• Dreams are possible with persistence