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THE NBA WORLD was inspired this week when Andre Ingram earned a call-up to the Los Angeles Lakers for their two remaining regular-season games.
Ingram, 32, has played in the G League – the NBA’s development tier – for 10 years since graduating from American University in 2007, passing up options to play overseas for more money in hopes of making the NBA.
The Lakers made that a reality this week by calling up Ingram, surprising him during his exit interview with his G League team, the South Bay Lakers.
On Tuesday night, Ingram, the G League’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers, made his debut, and he did not disappoint. Ingram finished a 105-99 loss to the Houston Rockets with 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-5 from downtown.
He brought his family with him to the game to experience the moment.
After 10 years in the @nbagleague, Andre Ingram walks to the @Lakers' locker room with his family. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/K1mLEB6qx4
— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) April 11, 2018
Ingram sank his very first 3-point attempt with his lethal (but unorthodox) shooting form, and landed his second attempt shortly afterwards.
He even showed a little off-the-dribble pizzazz, evading a closeout and then hitting a pull-up jumper while getting fouled.
Andre Ingram went from spending 10 years in the G League and tutoring kids in math to draining 3s for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/KCAP13fyI8
— ESPN (@espn) April 11, 2018
While shooting free throws, Ingram earned “MVP” chants from the crowd.
Tonight's MVP? Andre Ingram#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/xyQF7wzzmn
— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) April 11, 2018
He also earned the game ball from Lakers head coach Luke Walton.
"10 years.... Helluva opening night"
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 11, 2018
The game ball 🏀 could only go to one person. Thank you for inspiring us all, Andre Ingram! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/4NwSUpUykC
After the game, Ingram expressed that the moment was indeed his chance to live out his dreams. He told the TNT “Inside the NBA” cast that he couldn’t eat or sleep before the game but was OK with it because he just wanted to live in the moment.
“I couldn’t do anything,” Ingram said. “I wasn’t hungry. I couldn’t really sleep. I couldn’t really get a hold on things. But I didn’t want to try to. I just wanted to feel it.
“Once I talked to Magic and everything, I was, I don’t know, just emotions were flowing, and I didn’t want to stop it,” he said, referring to Lakers president and all-time NBA great Magic Johnson.
Walton, who at one point played with Ingram in the G League, said the Lakers weren’t just doing Ingram a favor; they wanted to show he could play.
Walton also praised Ingram’s fortitude for sticking in the G League for so long while waiting for his opportunity.
“You don’t make a lot of money when you’re in the minor league system,” Walton said. “You’re playing a crazy schedule, you’re in small towns, and you’re just constantly waiting for other people to think you’re good enough. That can get really mentally tough on people. And I think it shows how mentally strong he is and how much he believes in himself and how much he loves the game to stick with it for this long.”
Ingram also earned respect from around the world, receiving praise from NBA, MLB, and NFL players, among many others.
The power of focus and persistence is real!! Congrats Andre Ingram on your NBA debut. Well deserved! pic.twitter.com/U1MY9F1LOI
— Chris Paul (@CP3) April 11, 2018
Big time shout out to Andre Ingram and his big night with the @Lakers. Just became a hero to a lot of kids out there. #Neverquit #Bededicated #Attitudeiseverything #NBA (I’ll get back in my lane now)
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) April 11, 2018
How can you not be inspired by Andre Ingram? There’s so many lessons to be learned from his journey. Persistence, dedication, professionalism, etc...It’s never too late to do what you love-keep following your dreams!
— Julius Peppers (@juliuspeppers_) April 11, 2018
Andre Ingram / Dreams don’t have deadlines.. and if he never made it playing he could have became a coach.. there’s always a way. Always...
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) April 11, 2018
Ingram acknowledged after the game to TNT that he had moments when he considered not returning to the G League but felt close enough to the NBA that he couldn’t give up. With one more game left to play, Ingram will get to continue what has been an unexpected whirlwind ride.
As @TurnerSportsEJ would say, this story is "good for the soul."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 11, 2018
The #InsideTheNBA crew catches up with 32-year-old Andre Ingram after his @Lakers debut! pic.twitter.com/XfmZDLWvUg
