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After 10 years of grinding it out in the G League, Andre Ingram finally lived out his dream of playing in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and it couldn’t have gone much better for the 32-year-old rookie.
In 29 minutes for the Lakers, Ingram scored 19 points on an efficient 6-of-8 from the field, including four three-pointers, tied with Chris Paul for a game-high. His impressive debut caught the attention of several prominent figures around the league, including Paul, the president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
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
Andre Ingram said that Chris Paul came up to him when he checked into the game and told him that he was proud of Ingram, just congratulated him. Ingram was struck by the fact that they’re actually the same age (32).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 11, 2018
“I told him I heard about his story and that grind is unbelievable,” Paul said of Ingram. “I told him much respect. Ten years grinding in the G League, finally get an opportunity and to play like that, that’s pretty special.”
Paul was just one of the many people that were inspired by Ingram’s storybook NBA debut. Here are some of our favorite reactions from Ingram’s big night.
LOVE IT https://t.co/H80FOjRuhm
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 11, 2018
Dre Ingram! I’m inspired!!!!!
— kuz (@kylekuzma) April 11, 2018
AMAZING. #TheRealIngram https://t.co/YRSWRCKqJB
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) April 11, 2018
Ima give u a pass tonight https://t.co/dcse12Rny0
— Brandon X. Ingram (@B_Ingram13) April 11, 2018
MVP!!!!
— Joey Buss (@Jbuss) April 11, 2018
S/O to Andre Ingram... That was inspirational my brotha! Keep it going. God’s got you!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) April 11, 2018
Not the result we wanted.. but words can’t describe how happy I am for Dre !! Amazing night for an exceptional human being
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) 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
Ingram will have one more go around with the Lake Show tonight in the Lakers’ regular season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers. If last night was any indication of how energized Ingram can his team, it won’t be one you want to miss.