Earlier this year, Princepal Singh told ESPN that he would soon be playing in the NBA. There was no hint of PR swagger or optimism in his voice, it sounded like he was simply stating the obvious. Now, thanks to his selection in the NBA’s G-League Select program, he’s almost there.
The concept behind the program is simple. The NBA plans to identify, woo and incorporate select individuals into a team that would prepare the superstars of tomorrow. Instead of attending a top-tier college, top high school students (those not eligible for the main NBA draft) will play in a specially designed program within the NBA’s minor league setup designed to hone their skills, their personality and prepare them for the big climb. A program that, unlike what the NCAA offers, will pay off. And it pays well.
The League sees this as the best way to invest in their most important asset: young talent. And they mean business. They have already signed six players, all, as they say, dancers.
How special is this group? The first name on this sheet is Jalen Green, the number 1 high school candidate on the 2020 ESPN 100. The other four are also straight off the top 100 list, all with the best NCAA D1 colleges after them – Jonathan Kuminga (No. 4), Isiah Todd (# 15), Daishen Nix (# 21) and Kai Sotto (# 65).
The sixth is the son of an electrician from Dera Baba Nanak, a small town in Punjab. For a boy who, about five years ago, when asked if he was interested in basketball, he replied: “Oo ki honda?” (what is it?), Princepal Singh is now in elite company.
Princepal still speaks in the same uniform, almost detached tone. His sentences are short, the message to the point. Accept congratulations humbly, reject compliments and keep repeating that she has a lot to learn. Talk about how his overseas gaming experience will help him adapt quickly. He knows what he needs to improve: “sense of play, strength, speed” and his conversational English. Talk about how much you appreciate the opportunity.
Troy Justice, NBA VP and head of International Basketball Development, says the opportunity is simply a function of the hard work Princepal has put in, especially in the three years he has been with the NBA Academy.
“Each year we have seen incredible growth, he has improved year after year in fundamentals, skills, athleticism and strength – just his ability to improve as a basketball player is a great sign,” he says. “When he first entered [to the Academy], he was quite unique in his approach, he could do a thing or two well. But now, the coaches have helped him open up his game. He can play with his back to the basket, facing up, short angle and from the free throw line. “
The Academy, he says, helped the Princepal 6’10 “become the kind of all-around player demanded by modern, position-less basketball. His selection is no accident.
The Select program was what the NBA had tried to introduce last year, for the current season, but there had been no buyers. High-value prospects who chose not to go to college skipped the Select program to go overseas (like LaMelo Ball, which went to Australia), where the pay was simply much better. So the NBA increased the remuneration from the basic $ 125,000 to contracts that could exceed $ 500,000 (which is how much reports indicate Green’s contract will be worth).
They hired Brian Shaw, a three-time champion with the LA Lakers, as head coach. They defined in clearer terms what membership would entail: academic scholarships, hands-on mentoring, and all the obvious benefits of being in a program that has the sheer power of the NBA itself behind it.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, president of the G-league and driving force behind the program, says the idea behind it was to ensure that the 30 NBA teams could monitor and explore truly “elite” prospects up close.
“This team is going to get a lot of interest, more than any other team, simply because they are young players heading towards the NBA Draft. There will be incredible scouting opportunities, not just in games but also in training,” he says.
Abdur-Rahim further explains: “With this team we have the ability to build a schedule for each player; we will also make sure these players get the attention they need on and off the pitch. Creating the team is really an extension. of what we do with our Academy. “
The team itself will not play in the traditional G-league format, but will instead play games of their choice against teams in the league and against top international teams. The idea is that young people are exposed without having to undergo the entire G-league program, filled with long bus rides and red-eyed cheap flights, an often brutal experience. Obviously it will be difficult to replicate the true competitive fervor of the NCAA Division 1 ball, but Abdur-Rahim is confident he can recover it.
Princepal is the only player, at the moment, selected from outside the elite US high school programs, the only graduate of the NBA Academy (not just India Academy, but globally). Not only is it a walking testament to the effectiveness of the NBA’s efforts in global game development, but it will also get the best possible stepping stone into the NBA proper. He will probably have the best possible support system behind him. His success will scream the same for everything the NBA is doing right now. This can be a huge benefit and a source of pressure.
Princepal, however, is taking it all calmly. “Nah, I’m not under pressure. I’m not nervous. I’m just excited to play [with the best American high school basketball has to offer]. I will play with a free mind. And as always, I’ll give my 100%. “
And when Princepal Singh gives his 100%, dreams start to come true. In 2021, the NBA Draft could have a distinctly Punjabi flavor.
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