Brandon Ingram and high expectations
When you’re 19-years-old, it can be hard to put life into perspective. But if you’re Brandon Ingram, your future is clear.
He’s the newest addition to the L.A. Lakers, and he knows what’s at stake. As the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft and a former Duke Blue Devil, Brandon is familiar with success.
“Being drafted, of course, is good. But then, being drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers is a whole different story. You walk into that locker room and you see Magic [Johnson] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] on the walls and it’s just motivation. You can be the next wave. That’s what I’m working for.” –Brandon Ingram
Brandon has incredibly high expectations to make an immediate impact in his upcoming rookie season. That kind of pressure is enough to make anyone crack, but the 6-foot-9 forward isn’t letting the noise hinder his preparation.
“[The expectations] have hit me, but I can only be me. It’s just going day-by-day just knowing I have to work hard and knowing different things I have to work on to help advance my game each and every day. I just know with all the high expectations it’s a process and I just have to keep working every day.” –Brandon Ingram
All eyes will be on Brandon when the Lakers begin their regular season on Oct. 26, but his focus remains staying true to himself and proving to the world that he’s right where he belongs.
“You have to continue to stay grounded and stay humble. That helps me out a lot. The NBA is paying a lot of money these days, so it’s easy to just relax because you got a check. It’s easy to relax and not be the basketball player you were before. I think being humble and staying grounded and knowing why you got there and how you got there is something you always need to keep in the back of your mind.” –Brandon Ingram