Brandon Ingram on His NBA Future: 'I Don't Think I Have a Ceiling'
Before Brandon Ingram makes his NBA debut, a rabid Los Angeles Lakers fanbase has already stacked an unreasonable amount of pressure on his willowy frame. The 18-year-old is expected to serve as both a positionless savior and the immediate bridge to a fresh era of prosperity, joining an organization that won just 17 games this past season and is taking baby steps into a post-Kobe Bryant universe.
And he could not be less afraid. The hype is deserved and the stress is welcomed. Drafted second overall last week, Ingram has watched his stock rise higher than a weather balloon over the past 12 months. He's more than ready.
With the Lakers (and their fans) now focused on free agency, Ingram took a few minutes out of his schedule to talk with Bleacher Report about what he thinks of those Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford rumors ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne are reporting, why he can play a little point guard and more.
Bleacher Report: What has life been like since the draft?
Brandon Ingram: Just me being in the gym all the time. It hasn’t changed much. A lot of people have hit me up for support, of course, just telling me congratulations. But most of my time has been with family and being in the gym. I’m in North Carolina.
B/R: How do you plan to spend the rest of your summer, after Las Vegas Summer League?
Ingram: Still working out. Just keep on working out and getting ready toward next season. Working on some of my weaknesses and of course working on the things that I do well. So, just continue to do what I’m doing now, just boost it up a notch and go even harder.
B/R: Have you spoken to any current Lakers? D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, etc.?
Ingram: I’ve talked to...I’ve been texting with D’Angelo Russell. I’m actually still going through messages from different people and trying to reply to different people.
B/R: Have you spoken to Luke Walton? What about?
Ingram: I have, just a few hours after I got drafted. It was a short conversation. He was just saying he was happy to have me, and he’s ready to work, basically. He’s ready for me to come into summer league and ready for me to get to L.A.
B/R: Did you watch the Lakers at all last season?
Ingram: Yes.
B/R: Can you picture yourself playing beside those guys in Coach Walton’s presumably uptempo system?
Ingram: Most definitely. I think just watching them last year and just seeing their rebuilding stage, watching all the talented guys just work hard each and every day. I just know I fit right into that mode, trying to lead and also learn from each and every guy.
B/R: What parts of your game do you think will translate to the NBA from day one?
Ingram: I think my scoring ability. And then my ability to work hard, be on time each and every day, and just work hard as I can to be the best player I can be.
B/R: You’re a selfless, versatile player: What position do you think you’ll be most comfortable at over the next few years?
Ingram: Over the next few years, maybe the 2 and the 3. But as I get stronger, playing all positions on the floor. I think this game today, it’s more about versatility and guys playing different positions at different times in games, so, as I get stronger, I’ll be able to play every position on the court.
B/R: Many have you pegged in as a stretch 4 down the road. But do you think you’re eventually capable of playing a little backup point guard?
Ingram: I played stretch 4 at Duke due to an injury to Amile Jefferson, so it wouldn’t be anything different there, from that standpoint. And then also, point guard, I played in high school, and I’m very comfortable handling the basketball. So either way, wherever the coach wants to put me at, I’ll play it.
B/R: Are there any parts of your game that we didn’t see at Duke that you’ll be able to break out and showcase in the NBA?
Ingram: With more space in the NBA, you get to create a little bit more for yourself and for your other teammates. So I think my passing ability will really come out with more space on the floor, and I'll try to get to the basket to create for my teammates.
B/R: You’re a late bloomer relative to some other lottery picks in your class. What’s your ceiling?
Ingram: I honestly don’t know my ceiling. I think you continue to work on everything each and every day; you can always get better, so I don’t think I have a ceiling. You just work each and every day until you get better every single summer. Every single game you try to be the best player you can be, just battling great [players] day in and day out, trying to learn from them and get better.
B/R: What are some of the biggest weaknesses in your game right now?
Ingram: Just getting stronger. Everybody works on repetition and they come back and get better and better each season. So just getting stronger and being able to battle physically with these guys.
B/R: What are your goals as a rookie? Rookie of the Year? Being in the starting lineup? Anything like that?
Ingram: Of course. Every guy who comes in the league as a rookie has that thirst to try and get the Rookie of the Year, if you’re a competitor. So I definitely would say, yeah, Rookie of the Year. And then just learning from the greats who play this game and see what they did to be great.
B/R: Who are you most looking forward to matching up against this season?
Ingram: I’m looking forward to matching up against every small forward in the league, every 2-guard in the league, and just see how they play. Of course, the competitor in me wants to go at every guy in the league and try to make a name off that.
B/R: From your family to Coach Tyndall (editor's note: that's Ingram's high school coach, Perry Tyndall) to Jerry Stackhouse to Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski), what type of advice are people giving you right now?
Ingram: Keep working hard. Just know that you’re always being watched. I’m being watched even more now. So always do the right thing. But of all things, just enjoy the process and be the best player you can be. Just work hard. There were [times during] my first season at Duke when I struggled and wasn’t aggressive. Now is the time to try to be a vocal leader, try to learn as much as you can and try to impact this league and not have the same thing happen with when I first came to college.
B/R: How closely are you following Lakers free-agency rumors, with guys like Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford being linked to the Lakers?
Ingram: I see it. Whatever decision the GM makes, I’m happy.
B/R: What part of playing for the Lakers are you most excited about?
Ingram: Working out with the young guys. You walk around that facility and you see a lot of greats. You see a rich franchise, and I just want to be a part of it. I’m happy to be a part of it.
This interview was made possible by Speed Stick, which recently signed Ingram to an endorsement deal. All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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