Many kids dream of playing in the NBA, one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world. India has a lot of basketball talent, but no India-born player has reached the world’s premier basketball stage—the NBA. However, one young Indian wants to change that and make his NBA dream a reality. Princepal Singh hails from Punjab and in 2017 became part of the inaugural class at the NBA Academy in India.
He now plays for the NBA G-league and hopes to graduate to the ranks of the NBA soon. The G-league is popular among basketball enthusiasts, with many fans even going so far as betting on the outcome of games. For any fans that are new to sports betting, they can take advantage of the free bets many sportsbooks offer to new customers. Who knows, one day, Singh may be playing for a winning NBA team.
NBA Summer League
Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall, India’s Princepal Singh is a basketball powerhouse. The 20-year-old power forward and center had a historic run this summer, winning the 2021 NBA Summer League title with the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Indian on a winning NBA championship team at any level. The NBA organizes the summer league to test their rookie, sophomore, and G League affiliate players.
Singh’s participation in the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas was historic from the start. Before the championship game, Singh made his debut in the King’s blowout win over the Washington Wizards, making him only the second Indian to ever play in the league, after Satnam Singh in 2017. Although he only played in the last 1:22 minutes of that game, it was a significant moment in Indian basketball history.
The NBA Academy India Alum played in the last 4:08 minutes of the Summer League final against the Boston Celtics, scoring two points and the King’s final basket of the game. He also pulled down one rebound. The Celtics were undefeated before facing the Kings in the Championship game, having won all of their previous games by an average of 21 points.
However, they couldn’t stand up to the King’s defense, which held them to just 31 points on 30% shooting in the second half. The King’s outscored them 39-4 in points, finishing the game with 18 steals. After the championship victory, Sing said his next goal was playing in the NBA.
The NBA G League
Photo by TJ Dragotta on Unsplash
Singh’s path to the NBA goes through the NBA G League, the NBA’s official minor league that prepares promising basketball players from around the world for the NBA. In early 2021, he became the first NBA Academy Global alum and the first NBA Academy India alum to sign a professional contract when he signed with the G league’s Ignite.
He played in four games for the Ignite, scoring nine points, four rebounds, and one steal, making him the third Indian to make an appearance and score in a G League game. Ignite’s mission is to help the world’s most talented players prepare for the NBA draft on and off-court. He played alongside Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga; both picked in the 2021 NBA Draft lottery.
His contract with the Ignite ended last season. On October 23, 2021, he was drafted by the Stockton Kings as the 61st overall pick (round 3, pick 5) in the G League draft, becoming the second Indian to be selected in the G League Draft. Palpreet Singh Bar was the first Indian ever picked in the G League draft. The young Indian has set a high standard while paving the way for future graduates of the NBA Academy India.
Next Stop: The NBA
Singh believes he has what it takes to make it in the NBA, calling his journey thus far “a dream.” A few Indians have come close to reaching the NBA, but none have made it; Singh hopes to change that. He dreams of playing against his favorite NBA player, the Lakers Anthony Davis, and playing in the world’s most elite basketball league. He says playing for the Ignite showed him how professional players conduct themselves and work together to achieve their goals. Time will tell if Singh makes history again by becoming the first Indian in the NBA. He may even find himself in a game officiated by the league’s first Indian referee!
Thumb photo by Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash
