Princepal Singh becomes third Indian to play in NBA’s G-League

Indian basketball player Princepal Singh became just the third hoopster from the country to feature in the NBA G-League as he made his debut for team Ignite on Thursday.

Princepal follows in the footsteps of senior mates Satnam Singh - who played in the G-League for Texas Legends from 2015-17 - and Amjyot Singh – who turned out for Oklahoma City Blue and Wisconsin Herd.

Amjyot Singh last played in the NBA G-League in 2019.

The 20-year-old Princepal Singh came on for Ignite in the final quarter with 7:49 minutes remaining on the clock against the Erie Bayhawks.

The Indian basketball player had a couple of rebounds but was unable to score as he missed a field goal attempt and his late free throw went wide off the mark. It was a disappointing night for Ignite too as they lost 127-87.

After opening their season with a 4-0 record – the second team to do so in the 2020-21 G-League along with the Delaware Blue Coats -- Ignite have lost their last two games to sit fifth in the standings currently.

The team, which has standout talents like Kai Sotto, Jalen Green, and Isaiah Todd along with Princepal Singh, will aim to bounce back against the Westchester Knicks on Friday.

The 6’10” Princepal, who plays as a power forward, was introduced to basketball only in 2014 and came through the ranks at the NBA Academy India and the NBA Global Academy.

“Prince is just a workhorse,” fellow Ignite player Amir Johnson told Firstpost last week. “He’s the type of guy who works on his game before practice and afterwards.

“I think he knows that he has room to get a lot better. He’s a player who knows his own capabilities,” added Johnson, who has also played for Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers in his NBA career.

Should Princepal Singh perform for G-League Ignite, it could lead to the Indian being drafted in the NBA roster.

L_ead Photo: NBA India
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