India’s Princepal Singh to play in Mongolian Basketball League
The 24 y/o 6ft 10 centre has officially signed with SG Apes for the 2025–26 season.
Indian basketball centre Princepal Singh has officially signed with SG Apes for the 2025–26 Mongolian Basketball League season.
The announcement was made on August 27 via the team’s social media handles.
The move is both a personal milestone for Singh and a strategic statement by SG Apes, who are determined to improve on their third-place finish from last season.
First Indian Basketball Player in Mongolian League
Announcing the signing, SG Apes said:
“We have selected Princepal Singh, Indian national team player, as our Asian import player and signed a contract. He is 206 cm tall, 24 years old, a young man who plays in the center position. Singh was the biggest ‘prospect’ from India to enter the NBA and he is an experienced player who played in NBA G League and Summer League.”
Under the Mongolian Basketball League’s rules, each team is allowed a limited number of foreign recruits, including one Asian import. This is a roster spot reserved specifically for non-Mongolian Asian players. The rule was introduced to raise the level of competition, diversify playing styles, and draw in fans from across the region.
Singh has become the first Indian to fill this position in Mongolia’s top professional league known simply as ’The League’.
About SG Apes
SG Apes is a professional basketball team based in Ulaanbaatar.
Known for their fast-paced, physical style of play, the Apes have established themselves as one of the league’s top contenders, finishing third in the 2024-25 season.
The team has already built a reputation for embracing international talent, by signing American players, Kris Clyburn and Stephen Hurt.
The League, launched in 1994 and currently features 10 teams, recently grabbed international attention after former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins signed with newcomer team Selenge Bodons in January 2025 for the remainder of the season.
Princepal Singh’s Road to Mongolia
Singh started honing his skills at the Ludhiana Basketball Academy. His game soon earned him spots at the NBA Academy India and later the NBA Global Academy in Australia.
In 2021, Singh broke new ground by playing in the NBA G League Ignite program, a developmental team designed for top global prospects. That same year, he also played for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League.
Since then, Singh has built his professional career by competing in India’s domestic leagues and FIBA tournaments. Most recently, he played for the Punjab Warriors in the INBL before sealing his move to Mongolia with SG Apes.
A Bigger Picture for Asian Basketball
Singh’s signing is part of a wider trend of cross-border player movement in Asia. Leagues across the continent, especially Japan, are attracting diverse Indian talent.
For Indian basketball, Mongolia opens another avenue for players to sharpen their skills on the international stage.
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