Andre Ingram on his NBA debut with 19 points at 32: It was once in a lifetime
Chris Paul: "I told him I heard about his story and that grind is unbelievable"
Andre Ingram scored 19 points in his first NBA game.
Ingram was called by the Lakers after ten years in the G-League.
Per ESPN, As Andre Ingram checked into his first NBA game late in the first quarter, Houston Rockets star Chris Paul walked over with a quick message.
"I told him I heard about his story and that grind is unbelievable," said Paul, who, like Ingram, is 32. "I told him 'much respect.' Ten years grinding in the G League, and to finally get an opportunity and to play like that, that is pretty special."
Ingram couldn't have imagined this kind of NBA debut, even in his wildest dreams.
"It was once in a lifetime," said Ingram, who was still in awe after the game.
"Everyone was like, 'Man, when you get it, just let it go,'" Ingram said. "Everyone was like that. All the players, all the coaches.
"From the team warm-ups, the atmosphere was electric. You could feel something in there. MVP chants [while at the free throw line], that's just crazy. Like I said [to myself], 'Make the free throw, make the free throw, make the free throw.'"
"It's been a joy," said Ingram, whose wife and kids were on hand to watch his long-awaited night. "Ten years in the D League, but it wasn't like 10 hateful years or years I didn't enjoy. I enjoyed my time in the league and all of my teammates, and I heard from every one of them."
Ingram was called by the Lakers after ten years in the G-League.
Per ESPN, As Andre Ingram checked into his first NBA game late in the first quarter, Houston Rockets star Chris Paul walked over with a quick message.
"I told him I heard about his story and that grind is unbelievable," said Paul, who, like Ingram, is 32. "I told him 'much respect.' Ten years grinding in the G League, and to finally get an opportunity and to play like that, that is pretty special."
Ingram couldn't have imagined this kind of NBA debut, even in his wildest dreams.
"It was once in a lifetime," said Ingram, who was still in awe after the game.
"Everyone was like, 'Man, when you get it, just let it go,'" Ingram said. "Everyone was like that. All the players, all the coaches.
"From the team warm-ups, the atmosphere was electric. You could feel something in there. MVP chants [while at the free throw line], that's just crazy. Like I said [to myself], 'Make the free throw, make the free throw, make the free throw.'"
"It's been a joy," said Ingram, whose wife and kids were on hand to watch his long-awaited night. "Ten years in the D League, but it wasn't like 10 hateful years or years I didn't enjoy. I enjoyed my time in the league and all of my teammates, and I heard from every one of them."