Lakers’ prized recruit, Brandon Ingram (left) shares similar traits with Golden State Warriors superstar, Kevin Durant. Photo from NBA.com
Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Brandon Ingram has turned a lot of heads with his play in the recently concluded 2016 NBA Summer League, but perhaps, the biggest compliment he ever received comes from one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, Kevin Durant.
“He’s the first person I can say, that I can look at him and feel like I’m looking in the mirror,” Durant told Serna Winters of Lakers Nation.
Durant, a second overall pick like Ingram, came into the league in 2007 facing similar concerns about his strength and rail-thin frame. Through the years, he has resoundingly laid those concerns to rest and was even named league MVP in 2014.
The 7-time All-star witnessed Ingram’s unique skill set first-hand, during USA Basketball practice in Las Vegas on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
The willowy freshman was playing with the USA Select Team, which has been scrimmaging against Durant and the rest of the Rio-bound national team ahead of next month’s Olympics.
After watching Ingram up close, Durant added that the 18-year-old is even further along the development curve than he was at the same age.
He also acknowledged the physical and stylistic similarities between them, as both are comparatively long, fluid guard-forward hybrids—with unique skill sets to boot.
Meanwhile, the lanky pair could have been teammates this upcoming season, but Durant surprised the Lakers earlier this month by declining a free-agent meeting.
In a separate report, the Texas native described his decision to forego the storied franchise, and sign with the Golden State Warriors instead.
“Nothing against the Lakers, but I already had my mind set on who I wanted to talk to,” Durant told Mark Media of Los Angeles Daily News. “I really respect their team. I just thought they were a couple years away from where I wanted to be.” Khristian Ibarrola