Princepal Singh becomes first graduate from NBA India Academy to sign NBA G-League

Last updated on February 14th, 2023 at 12:59 pm

Forward position six feet and 10 inches Princepal Singh from Punjab, NBA Academy graduate has signed NBA G-League and will play in next season. The announcement was made on Tuesday by president Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G league”, said Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Under the signed contract, Singh will train with the new G league team. He is the first graduate from NBA India Academy to have signed the pro league contract.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G league”

Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Princepal Singh started to play basketball at Ludhiana Basketball Academy. He later joined the NBA Academy India, elite basketball training centre based in Delhi in 2017. The fact that Singh was part of academy’s inaugural class which was identified through ACG-NBA Jump Program increased his future prospects.

Singh went to NBA Global Academy in November 2018. The global academy is the NBA league’s hub for top prospects in both genders from countries outside US. The academy which is located in Canberra, Australia is where Singh continued his training and development before he graduated in spring.

“We’ve long hoped that our development pathway for elite high school players would include roster spots for emerging international talent, including players who have participated in the NBA Academy program, and we’re excited to have Princepal forge this new path and develop his skills in our league”, Abdur-Rahim said.

While in NBA Academy program, Singh took part in various international high-profile basketball events. This included Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia in 2018, BWB Global 2018 and NBA Global Camp in 2018. He also represented India in many international tournaments as part of Indian men’s senior national team.

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NBA Vice-president and Head of International Basketball Development Troy Justice said, “Playing in the NBA G League alongside some of the most talented up and coming players and under the tutelage of head coach Brian Shaw will allow Princepal to build on the foundation and framework he developed under an incredible staff of NBA Academy coaches in India and Australia over the last several years.”

Singh will have this opportunity to play alongside promising youth and under mentorship of pioneer coaches and trainers, thus accelerating his on-court development. He will be playing alongside high school recruits from class of 2020 – Isaiah Todd, Daishen Nix, Jalen Green, Kai Sotto and Jonathan Kuminga. Brian Shaw, the five time NBA champion, will be the team’s head coach.