After entering NBA G-League, Principal has eyes set on the big time

For now, however, it is a time for celebration at Princepal’s home, where he has been throughout the duration of the ongoing pandemic-induced lockdown. “My family was very happy when I told them about it. People came to congratulte me from nearby as well. It is great news,” Princepal told IANS.

He will now be working under the tutelage of five-time NBA champion and coach Brian Shaw. Princepal is on a Select contract which means he will be eligible for the NBA Draft after a season in the G-League.

“It is a one-year contract and after that if I do well, I will be available for the NBA draft. There is a lot of work left to do before that. There will be other G-League players also who I will be up against,” said Princepal.

“I have to work on my strength and running. Shooting is also an area I can improve in. I have to improve myself a lot overall and will be working on all that.”

It was only six years ago that a 14-year-old Princepal arrived at Ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Stadium complex to enroll at its volleyball academy. Basketball was a sport he was almost completely unaware of. Jaipal Singh, a coach from the Punjab Basketball Academy, spotted him and decided to take him in.

In 2017, Princepal was selected in the NBA Academy India through ACG-NBA Jump Program.

“The coaches at the academy all helped me raise the level of my game a lot over the years that I have been involved in the academy. They took care of my diet and conditionong as well,” he said.

–IANS<br>rkm/bbh