32-year-old rookie Andre Ingram made his surprise NBA debut on Tuesday night at Staples Center, and he certainly made the most of the opportunity.
You stay on the grind and at the end of your 10th year, you finally get the call.
Andre Ingram never stopped persevering and now his @NBA dream is a reality. #ThisIsWhyWePlay #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/1SZhc5SW7k
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2018
Ingram — a 10-year, 384-game G League veteran — scored 19 points in 29 minutes against the Houston Rockets, and did so with lights-out shooting. The American University product hit 6-of-8 shots from the field, 4-of-5 from behind the arc, and 3-of-3 at the free throw line to reach 19 points in highly efficient fashion.
Ingram’s first shot was a three-pointer, and he nailed it:
Andre Ingram drills his first shot in the NBA #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/siS81r9xJ2
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 11, 2018
Full highlights of Ingram’s amazing performance:
A debut 10 years in the making…
Andre Ingram finishes with 19 points (4-5 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 blocks and a steal pic.twitter.com/2sCxGznD7c
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 11, 2018
After the game, Ingram was presented the game ball by Lakers head coach Luke Walton:
"10 years…. Helluva opening night"
The game ball 🏀 could only go to one person. Thank you for inspiring us all, Andre Ingram! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/4NwSUpUykC
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 11, 2018
And Ingram spoke with the Inside the NBA crew:
As @TurnerSportsEJ would say, this story is "good for the soul."
The #InsideTheNBA crew catches up with 32-year-old Andre Ingram after his @Lakers debut! pic.twitter.com/XfmZDLWvUg
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 11, 2018
Rockets stars Chris Paul and James Harden were extremely impressed by Ingram’s journey and debut:
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
32 year old rookie Andre Ingram gets some love from Chris Paul before he checks in for his first NBA game after 384 G League games 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RNFbwYEVgX
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 11, 2018
James Harden compliments Andre Ingram on his impressive NBA debut! pic.twitter.com/K2BkOPEMGx
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2018
And Kobe:
LOVE IT https://t.co/H80FOjRuhm
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 11, 2018
Ingram will look to add another chapter to his incredible story in the Lakers’ season finale against the Clippers on Wednesday night.