Princepal Singh becomes first NBA Academy India graduate to sign professional contract

The 19-year-old is the fourth Indian picked for the NBA developmental league.

NBA Academy graduate Princepal Singh has signed to play in the NBA G League next season. The 6’10 forward from Punjab will train and compete alongside the new G League team featuring elite youth prospects.

He is the first NBA Academy graduate to sign with the NBA G League and first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a professional contract.

Princepal Singh, who started playing basketball at the Ludhiana Basketball Academy, joined the NBA Academy India in 2017 as a part of the academy’s inaugural class of student-athletes identified through the ACG-NBA Jump Program. In November 2018, he transitioned to The NBA Global Academy – the league’s hub for top male and female prospects from outside the U.S. – in Canberra, Australia, where he continued his development before graduating this spring.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal Singh the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G League. 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 him forge this new path and develop his skills in our league," said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

NBA Vice President, Head of International Basketball Development, Troy Justice remarked, "We are very proud of Princepal Singh, who has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity as he continues to be a trailblazer for the NBA Academy program and basketball in India."

"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."

Throughout his time in the NBA Academy program, Princepal Singh participated in several high-profile international basketball events, including Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia 2018, BWB Global 2018 and the NBA Global Camp 2018. He also represented India in international competitions as part of the Indian men’s senior national team.

The NBA G League gives top young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life-skills training. Singh will have the opportunity to accelerate his on-court development alongside top high school recruits from the class of 2020 Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, Daishen Nix, Kai Sotto and Jonathan Kuminga who have signed to play in the NBA G League for the 2020-21 season.

Five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw will serve as head coach of their team, which will be unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.