Princepal Singh
{{Short description|Indian basketball player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Princepal Singh
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| position = Power forward / center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 221
| league = NZNBL
| team = Indian Panthers
| number =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|1|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Punjab, India
| draft_year = 2021
| career_start = 2019
| career_end =
| years1 = 2019
| team1 = BA Centre of Excellence
| years2 = 2021
| team2 = NBA G League Ignite
| years3 = 2023
| team3 = Mumbai Stars
| years4 = 2025
| team4 = Punjab Warriors
| years5 = 2025–present
| team5 = Indian Panthers
| highlights =
- SABA Under-16 Championship MVP (2017)
| medal_templates =
{{Medal|Sport|Men's basketball}}
{{Medal|Country|{{IND}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|SABA Under-16 Championship}}
{{Medal|Gold|2017 Nepal|Team}}
}}
Princepal Singh Bajwa ({{langx|pa|ਪਿ੍ੰਸਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ}}; born 3 January 2001) is an Indian professional basketball player for the Indian Panthers of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). Listed at {{convert|6|ft|9|in|m|2}} and {{convert|221|lbs|kg|0}}, he plays the power forward and center position.
Early life and career
Singh is a native of Dera Baba Nanak, Punjab, India, and grew up playing volleyball. In 2014, he travelled to Ludhiana to try out for a volleyball academy but instead drew the attention of Jaipal Singh, a coach at the Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA).{{cite web |last1=Sen |first1=Debayan |title=Meet Princepal, Indian basketball's 'next big Singh' |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25457550/princepal-singh-indian-basketball-next-big-singh-set-make-senior-team-debut-super-kung-sheung-cup-international-championship |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=5 December 2018}}{{cite web |title=Hope to make it to the NBA one day: India's Princepal Singh |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/hope-to-make-it-to-the-nba-one-day-indias-princepal-singh/1693571 |website=Outlook |publisher=Indo-Asian News Service |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=24 December 2019}} Standing {{height|m=1.98}} at the time, he soon joined the LBA and learned how to play basketball from Jaipal Singh.{{cite web |last1=Raj |first1=Pratyush |title=Gurdaspur hoopster is the new 'Prince' of Indian basketball |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/gurdaspur-hoopster-is-the-new-prince-of-indian-basketball/articleshow/71814698.cms |website=The Times of India |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=30 October 2019}} In 2016, Singh earned a three-year full scholarship, worth $75,000, to play at SPIRE Institute and Academy in Geneva, Ohio but was unable to join the program after his visa was rejected twice.{{cite web |last1=Senthil |first1=Anjana |title=Princepal's tryst with destiny |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/basketball/princepal-singh-national-team-super-kung-sheung-cup-nba-academy-ludhiana/article25673369.ece |website=The Hindu |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=5 December 2018}}
Singh trained at the NBA Academy India in New Delhi for 18 months, before being called up to the NBA Global Academy, a training center at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, in May 2017.{{cite web |last1=Matange |first1=Yash |title='The NBA Academy experience has been great for me' - Princepal Singh says while discussing the three-year journey and more |url=https://in.nba.com/news/the-nba-academy-experience-has-been-great-for-me-princepal-singh-says-while-discusses-the-three-year-journey/1e5xw4gdgr3zp18ps2sht88rtj |publisher=National Basketball Association |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=8 May 2020}} Singh trained at the Global Academy on a two-year contract.{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Anirudh |title='I will play in the NBA' - Princepal Singh has eyes firmly set on the big prize |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28500317/i-play-nba-princepal-singh-eyes-firmly-set-big-prize |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=17 January 2020}} He played seven games for the BA Centre of Excellence in the Australian NBL1 during the 2019 season.{{cite web |title=Princepal Singh |url=https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Princepal-Singh/469038 |website=asia-basket.com |access-date=4 April 2025 |url-access=subscription}}
In October 2019, Singh was named the most valuable player (MVP) at the Indian Junior National Championship after leading Punjab to the title and scoring 40 points against Rajasthan in the final. In December 2019, he helped Punjab win the Indian Senior National Basketball Championship.[https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/70th-national-championship-punjab-men-railways-women-champions 70th National Basketball Championship: Punjab men and Railways women repeat as champions] Gopalakrishnan R (Sportskeeda), 1 April 2020. Accessed 13 August 2021. In January 2020, he helped Punjab win the gold medal in the under-21 category of the Khelo India Youth Games.{{cite web |last1=Matange |first1=Yash |title=Khelo India Youth Games 2020: Princepal Singh leads Punjab to gold in U-21 category as Kerala grabs most basketball medals |url=https://in.nba.com/news/khelo-india-youth-games-2020-princepal-singh-nba-academy-leads-punjab-to-gold-kerala-grabs-most-basketball-medals/1qpyyz422hcm15ewdxeh4xelj |publisher=National Basketball Association |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=22 January 2020}}{{Cite web|last=J|first=Raunak|date=2020-07-31|title="Didn't expect it to happen so quickly," says India's Princepal Singh after signing NBA G League contract [Exclusive]|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-didn-t-expect-happen-quickly-says-india-s-princepal-singh-signing-nba-g-league-contract-exclusive|access-date=2020-12-23|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en}}
Professional career
=NBA G League Ignite (2021)=
On 28 July 2020, Singh signed a one-year contract with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental team affiliated with the NBA G League. He became the first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a professional contract.{{cite web |title=Princepal Singh Becomes First NBA Academy Graduate To Sign With NBA G League |url=https://gleague.nba.com/news/princepal-singh-becomes-first-nba-academy-graduate-to-sign-with-nba-g-league/ |publisher=NBA G League |accessdate=28 July 2020 |date=28 July 2020}} He played sparingly during the 2021 G League hub season, averaging 2.3 points in four games.{{cite web |last1=Isaga |first1=JR |title=Tried and tested: Assessing the NBA G League Ignite prospects |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/nba/assessing-g-league-ignite-prospects |website=Rappler |access-date=24 April 2021 |date=8 March 2021}}
Singh joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League,{{cite news |title=Kings Announce California Classic Summer League Roster {{!}} Sacramento Kings |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-announce-2021-ca-classic-roster |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=www.nba.com |date=1 August 2021 |language=en}} helping the team win the Summer League title.{{Cite news |date=2023-03-07 |title=I'm at my lowest moment now, says Princepal Singh |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/im-at-my-lowest-moment-now-says-princepal-singh/articleshow/98477272.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-20 |issn=0971-8257}} He was selected by the Stockton Kings with the fifth pick of the third round of the 2021 NBA G League draft.{{cite news |title=Princepal Singh Selected by the Stockton Kings in 2021 NBA G League Draft |url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/princepal-singh-selected-by-the-stockton-kings-in-2021-nba-g-league-draft-4378250.html |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=News18 |date=29 October 2021}}
=New Zealand Breakers (2021–2022)=
On 10 November 2021, Singh signed with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League to a two-year development player contract.{{cite news |title=India's Top Prospect Signs with the Sky Sport Breakers |url=https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/indias-top-prospect-signs-with-the-sky-sport-breakers |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=nzbreakers.basketball |date=10 November 2021}} He parted ways with the Breakers in January 2022 before playing in a game for the team.{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Jackson |date=2022-01-11 |title=Singh just the latest departure for luckless Breakers |url=https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/princepal-singh-and-new-zealand-breakers-part-ways/ |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=The Inner Sanctum |language=en-GB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111090647/https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/princepal-singh-and-new-zealand-breakers-part-ways/ |archive-date=11 January 2022}}
= Mumbai Stars (2023) =
In October 2022, Singh suffered a career-threatening back injury while training in the United States. He recovered in time to play for the Mumbai Stars in the Elite Pro Basketball League in March 2023.
= Punjab Warriors (2025) =
Singh played for the Punjab Warriors in the 2025 INBL Pro season. In seven games, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
= Indian Panthers (2025–present) =
In March 2025, Singh signed with the Indian Panthers of the New Zealand NBL for the 2025 season.{{cite news |title=6'10" Prince bolsters our front court, with experience at the NBA Academy, NBA G League & the Breakers |url=https://www.instagram.com/indianpanthersofficial/p/DHr6opUvXQI/ |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=instagram.com/indianpanthersofficial |date=27 March 2025}}
National team career
=Junior national team=
In September 2017, Singh led India to the gold medal at the SABA Under-16 Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was named tournament MVP after scoring 20 points in a 131–50 win over Bhutan in his final game.{{cite web |title=India crowned 2nd SABA U16 Zone champions |url=http://ekalavyas.com/2017/09/09/india-crowned-2nd-saba-u16-zone-champions/ |publisher=Ekalavyas |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=9 September 2017}} In April 2018, Singh competed at the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China, averaging 22.7 points and 13 rebounds per game.{{cite web |title=Princepal primed to be the Next Big Singh for India Basketball |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u18/2018/news/princepal-primed-to-be-the-next-big-singh-for-india-basketball |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=31 July 2018}} At the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship in Nonthaburi, Thailand, he averaged 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game as the captain of the Indian team.{{cite web |last1=Flojo |first1=Enzo |title=Which other youth standouts can play at the senior level now? |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/news/which-other-youth-standouts-can-play-at-the-senior-level-now |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=8 November 2018}}
=Senior national team=
In December 2018, Singh made his debut for the Indian senior national team at the Super Kung Sheung Cup International Championship in Hong Kong. In February 2020, he was selected to represent India for Window 1 of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification stage.{{cite web |last1=Matange |first1=Yash |title=FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers: Princepal Singh and Amaan Sandhu part of India squad for Window 1 |url=https://in.nba.com/news/fiba-asia-cup-2021-qualifiers-basketball-federation-india-announce-squad-window-1-princepal-singh-amaan-sandhu/s6bxe4h9nws1xoz5qqxdbqmg |publisher=National Basketball Association |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=17 February 2020}} In his first game, on 21 February, Singh recorded three points, five rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes in a 68–67 loss to Bahrain.{{cite web |title=Princepal Singh |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/asiacup/2021/qualifiers/player/Princepal-Singh |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=19 June 2020}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA G League=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| NBA G League
| 4 || 0 || 6.3 || .500 || 1.000 || .500 || 1.0 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 2.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 4 || 0 || 6.3 || .500 || 1.000 || .500 || 1.0 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 2.3
{{S-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| NBA G League
| 1 || 0 || 2.0 || – || – || – || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 1 || 0 || 2.0 || – || – || – || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Singh's father, Gurmej Singh, is an electrician.{{cite web |last1=Sampat |first1=Amit |title=The Story Of Prince Lal Singh, An Electrician's Son Who Realized His US Basketball Dream |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/sports/the-story-of-prince-lal-singh-an-electrician-s-son-who-realized-his-us-basketball-dream-256031.html |website=India Times |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=1 June 2016}} His father stands {{height|m=1.83}} and his mother, Hardeep Kaur, stands {{height|m=1.78}}.{{cite web |last1=Mahendra |first1=Vikram |title=Punjab teenager Prince Pal Singh earns $75,000 scholarship to train in USA, could play in NCAA by 2020 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/punjab-teenager-prince-pal-singh-earns-75000-scholarship-train-in-usa-could-play-ncaa-2020 |publisher=Sportskeeda |accessdate=19 June 2020 |date=1 June 2016}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/1630229/ NBA G League profile]
- [https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/249341-princepal-singh- FIBA profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Princepal}}
Category:Asian Games competitors for India
Category:BA Centre of Excellence men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players at the 2022 Asian Games
Category:Basketball players from Punjab, India
Category:Indian expatriates in Australia
Category:Indian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Indian men's basketball players