The future of Indian Basketball looks bright as Princepal Singh becomes the first NBA Academy graduate to sign with NBA G League
Princepal Singh, a 6-10 forward from Punjab, India, has signed to play in the NBA G League next season. He will be training and competing along with the new G League team which features elite youth prospects.
He has become the first NBA Academy graduate to sign with the NBA G League and first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a professional contract. He started playing the sport from the Ludhiana Basketball Academy, joined The NBA Academy India in 2017.
View this post on Instagram🏀💯 #fiba3x3u18 #indiabasketball
A post shared by Princepal Singh (@princepal_15) on
“I am really excited to get this opportunity. I am looking forward to this new beginning of my life,” Princepal told TOI. "At present, I don’t have much details about the contract, I don’t know when I am going to US but the only good thing is I am living my dream and I hope to play in the NBA soon,” he added.
Princepal belongs to Dera Baba Nanak village in Gurdaspur and was obsessed with Volleyball. He was spotted by then MLA from Batala, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal in a school competition where the then 6’4” youngster scouted out for the Ludhiana Basketball Academy.
leading by example 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gHWqBB1mRf
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 28, 2020
“Back then, I only knew about volleyball and my whole time was spent in setting up the volleyball net. When Lodhinangal sir’s son Kunwar Mandeep Singh told me about basketball, I was fascinated by the game. Controlling the ball all over the court looked enjoyable to me,” Princepal told Indian Express.
Singh playing in the NBA through the draft route in 2021 depends upon the progress he makes in the G League.
e will be coached by five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw.He shall be focusing on making Singh a better player by channelling his talent into victories for the team. He has to improve his ball-handling and playmaking skills to clench on the success in the league. He is expected to have the skillsets of a mid-sized point guard.
Princepal Singh is only going to get better 💪
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 28, 2020
🎤 “Crossover Layy” by @808Hanna pic.twitter.com/T9xDdAX9ZH
We can't keep calm because he has made it big:
This is big for @NBA in India... #PrincepalSingh, a 6-10 forward from Punjab, and first #NBA Academy India graduate, has signed to play in the NBA G League next season.
— Gaurav Laghate (@gauravl_ET) July 28, 2020
What a great news for #IndianBasketball all the best for your journey #PrincePalSingh https://t.co/plKXnsFzPc
— Vinay (@Vinaysj24) July 28, 2020
Congratulations to Princepal Singh for becoming the first #NBA India Academy graduate to sign a pro contract to play their 'G' League in the next season. @NBA is really helping boost the popularity of #basketball in #India & nurturing young talent. #sports https://t.co/XyhNYNyHPH pic.twitter.com/nzIRfF5NNh
— Dhanraj Nathwani (@DhanrajNathwani) July 29, 2020
India's Princepal Singh Becomes First NBA Academy Graduate to Sign With NBA G League #NBA #NBATwitter #India #PrincepalSingh - https://t.co/2dwITz8ilK
— Daniel Mogollon (@SportsMasterDan) July 30, 2020
Congratulations and Keep on shining #PrincepalSingh who becomes 1st #NBAAcademy graduate to sign with the #NBAGLeague!!
— Vikram Roy Mehta (@Vikrammodernite) July 30, 2020
What an inspiration for younger generations to embrace the sport and bring glory to the nation! https://t.co/69Nhvq7nCu@NBAIndia @NBA @ShareefAbdur_R pic.twitter.com/UGq2w6gyJW
By making it to @NBA G-League, the new poster boy of the Indian basketball, 19-year-old Princepal Singh has proved that opportunities are created with determination, they don’t just happen like that! I wish him success. May he shine bright in the arena.#PrincepalSingh pic.twitter.com/zqGaThEuFv
— Bikram Majithia (@bsmajithia) July 29, 2020
It gives immense professional satisfaction when you cover an Athlete during his early days and he makes it big later.I did this story on #PrincepalSingh in 2018 for @toisports. Hope, he goes all the way. So happy for him. I miss working with you guys @HindolBasu @pratyush_RajTOI pic.twitter.com/vi8hwkUARe
— Dhruvan sharma (@Dhruvii_lfc) July 29, 2020
#BreakingNow Princepal Singh has signed @nbagleague contract with the new 'G League Select' team! #PrincepalSingh #IndiaBasketball #NBAIndia #NBAGLeaguehttps://t.co/teT1IzjkwC
— Ekalavyas (Basketball_India) (@EkalavyasBball) July 28, 2020
Punjab’s #PrincepalSingh is fourth Indian picked for NBA developmental league.
— Soundar C / சௌந்தர் செ (@soundarc2001) July 30, 2020
Signed by a select squad of the developmental NBA G League, the step up takes the 6'10" hoopster closer to his dream of playing in the world’s snazziest league.#NBA @nbagleague pic.twitter.com/mXGzPXfS02
Also Read: Taking a look at Indian Cricketer Smriti Mandhana and her unwavering dedication