India’s Princepal Singh, widely regarded as the next great thing in Indian basketball, is yet to decide whether to enter the 2021 NBA Draft, which will be held on July 29.
Last season, the Indian basketball player was a member of the G League’s Ignite squad, which was a first-of-its-kind squad created by the league for Draft-eligible players. Initially, Ignite was anticipated to play only a few exhibition games, but when several G League clubs declined to participate in the bio-secure bubble, Ignite was offered a berth along with 17 other teams, ensuring at least 15 games for the young players.
Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, two of Princepal’s teammates, are largely expected to be picked in the top five choices in July. The league has set the 30th of May as the deadline for early entry applications, and players who have filed for the drafting can withdraw before the 19th of July.
“I’m not sure whether I will enter the Draft. I want to play in the NBA, if not this year, then at least next year, my contract with Ignite ended when the season was done. Maybe I’ll play for another G League team next year. Maybe I’ll play in the Summer League,” Princepal told the interviewers.
If he decides not to enter the NBA Draft, he might play another season in the NBA G League if he can find a team. Ignite, which was established as an alternate option for promising young players who want to spend a year in college, is an improbable destination for him.
By returning to the G League for another season, Princepal may be able to make a stronger case for himself to the NBA’s 30 clubs than he did in his debut season. In his first G League season, Princepal played just 25 minutes (in four appearances) under coach Brian Shaw, a five-time NBA champion. During that time, he scored nine points and collected four rebounds.
While Shaw and Princepal’s senior colleagues frequently lauded his quickness and hard ethic in practice and on the court, the Indian has to bulk up to handle the NBA’s physicality, especially because he plays as a center or power forward. He also had some linguistic issues.
