Princepal Singh, a 6-foot-10 forward from India, has signed a contract in the NBA G League to train and play with the pro path team.
Singh will be the first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a pro deal and the first NBA Academy graduate to sign in the G League, according to Shams Charania.
Singh joined the NBA Academy India in 2017 and then moved to the league’s Global Academy Australia in 2018.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G League,” G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim said in a statement. “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.”
Singh has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and was drawing high major interest from college programs, according to ESPN’s NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony.
“He’s a good athlete with solid offensive versatility. Probably not a NBA guy but won’t look out of place in the G League’s professional pathway. Great outcome for the NBA Academy venture,” Givony tweeted.
However, Singh remains focused and determined on making it to the NBA.
“I will play in the NBA,” Singh said earlier this year.
He will get the chance to train and play alongside top prospects including Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, Isaiah Todd, Kai Sotto and others.
Singh was selected to represent the Indian national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
So far, in limited action in two games (7.9 minutes per game), Singh is averaging 1.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
