Brandon Ingram Receives High Praise From Former Pelicans Guard
New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is preparing for international basketball play with the U.S. Men's National Team. A former teammate recently spoke on how special Ingram is as a basketball player. Devonte' Graham joined Theo Pinson on the Run Your Race Podcast via Tidal League to discuss Ingram's remarkable abilities on the court.
Graham spent a year and a half as a teammate with Ingram after being acquired through trade from the Charlotte Hornets. During his first year in New Orleans, the Pelicans made the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. With Zion Williamson out for the entire year, Ingram led the Pelicans with 22 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
B.I. then took his play to another level that postseason. In his first-ever playoff series, Ingram averaged 30 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Keep in mind Mikal Bridges heavily guarded Ingram in the series. Bridges finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting that year. Graham had a front-row view of B.I.'s breakout performance.
Apr 26, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during game five of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Devonte' was traded to the San Antonio Spurs this past season. Still, he witnessed Ingram post career-highs in points, assists, and free-throw percentage this year. The effortless manner in which Ingram plays basketball is something Graham admires. "B.I. is elite. He doesn't see nobody when he pulls up to shoot. He passing, he make everybody better. Scoring, effortless."
While Ingram is currently underpriced in most prop lines, data from bettingsites.co.uk predict that they are bound to increase over the season and greatly contribute to their win total from a season ago.
Pinson, who played five years in the NBA, echoed similar sentiments as a competitor of Ingram ever since his college days. He played against B.I. as a member of the bitter UNC-Duke rivalry. Pinson says Ingram was one of his toughest assignments trying to guard. "I have went on record and I have said he is one of the hardest players that I've ever guarded."
Ingram will have the chance to show his skill on an international stage. The U.S. Team announced he will wear No. 7 in the upcoming FIBA World Cup. The tournament will start Aug. 25 and run through the championship round on Sept. 10.
