After 10 seasons in the NBA's minor league, 32-year old guard Andre Ingram finally made his NBA debut last night with the Los Angeles Lakers and it wasn't long before he was hearing "MVP" chants from the Staples Center crowd.
Ingram, who holds the all-time G League (formerly the D League) record for most 3-pointers made, connected on his first four shots from the field including a trio of threes and finished with 19 points on 6/8 shooting.
"Everyone was like, 'Man, when you get it, just let it go,'" Ingram said, according to ESPN. "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."
Since graduating from America University in 2007, Ingram has spent his entire career in the NBA's developmental league, including four seasons with the now-defunct Utah Flash, five seasons with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, and a season with the South Bay Lakers, who he played for this year. He also briefly played in Australia in 2016 before returning to the G League, according to NBA.com.
Ingram's electric performance in his NBA debut caught the attention of players across the league, including his counterpart last night, Chris Paul.
"I told him I heard about his story and that grind is unbelievable," said Paul, according to ESPN. "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 and the Lakers will wrap up their season tonight at Staples Center against the Clippers.
Check out some of the highlights and reactions to Ingram's memorable debut below.
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