Brandon Xavier Ingram is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. Drafted second overall in 2016 by the Los Angeles Lakers, Ingram quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. His career trajectory continued upward after a trade to the Pelicans, where he achieved significant milestones. In his inaugural season with New Orleans, Ingram was recognized as an NBA All-Star and received the prestigious Most Improved Player award in 2020, solidifying his status as a rising star in the league.
Brandon Xavier Ingram was born on September 2, 1997.
In 2008, Ingram's brother, Donovan, began his college basketball career at South Plains College.
In 2010, Ingram's brother transferred to UT Arlington to continue his college basketball career.
In 2012, Ingram's brother finished his college basketball career at UT Arlington.
In 2012, as a freshman, Ingram won his first NCHSAA 2-A boys' basketball state championship with Kinston High School.
During the summer of 2013, Ingram showed significant improvement in his basketball skills while playing AAU, attracting attention from college coaches.
On June 19, 2014, Ingram participated in the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Virginia.
On April 27, 2015, Ingram announced his decision to attend Duke University to play college basketball.
On December 12, 2015, Brandon Ingram achieved a career-high 26 points and 14 rebounds, leading Duke to a victory over Georgia Southern.
In 2015, Ingram led Kinston High to its fourth consecutive state title, becoming the first men's basketball player in NCHSAA to achieve this milestone. He also played in the McDonald's All-American Game.
During the 2015-2016 season, Ingram had a standout freshman year at Duke, averaging 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year and AP All-American honorable mention, ranking among Duke's all-time freshman leaders in scoring, three-pointers, and 20-point games. In the NCAA tournament, he averaged 23 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across three games.
In January 2016, Ingram had several impactful performances. He blocked a career-high 6 shots against Virginia Tech, scored 25 points with 9 rebounds in his ACC debut at Boston College, and helped Duke end a three-game losing streak with 25 points against NC State, earning him multiple National Freshman and ACC Rookie of the Week honors.
Ingram's strong play continued in February 2016, earning him his fourth ACC Rookie of the Week award. He averaged 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, helping Duke defeat ranked opponents Louisville and Virginia. He was also named to the Naismith College Player of the Year midseason watchlist. On February 17, Ingram scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a one-point win over rival North Carolina.
On April 4, 2016, Brandon Ingram declared for the 2016 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
On June 23, 2016, Brandon Ingram was selected as the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ingram signed his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 23, 2016.
Brandon Ingram made his NBA debut on October 26, 2016, scoring nine points in a win against the Houston Rockets.
In 2016, Ingram was selected for the U.S. select team, where he trained with the U.S. Olympic basketball team.
In 2016, Brandon Ingram was selected with the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
In 2016, Ingram signed with Excel Sports Management, represented by Jeff Schwartz, and also secured an endorsement deal with Adidas Basketball. He also appeared in a Speed Stick commercial alongside Kris Dunn.
On January 6, 2017, Ingram scored 17 points in a win against the Miami Heat.
Ingram scored a then career-high 25 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns on October 20, 2017.
On November 15, 2017, Ingram scored 26 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In early 2017, Ingram participated in Delta's "Beyond the Court" campaign with Jonas Never and Jordan Clarkson, showcasing his passion for art.
On January 5, 2018, Ingram tallied 22 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2018, Ingram faced challenges including a four-game suspension for his role in an on-court altercation and missed several games due to a sprained ankle.
On January 17, 2019, Ingram recorded a career-high 11 assists in an overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
On July 6, 2019, Brandon Ingram was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a deal for Anthony Davis.
Ingram scored a then career-high 40 points against the Brooklyn Nets on November 4, 2019.
In 2019, Brandon Ingram was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a package for Anthony Davis.
In 2020, Ingram became a first-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Most Improved Player during his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram recorded a career-high 12 assists, alongside 24 points and eight rebounds, in a win against the Dallas Mavericks on December 3, 2021.
On January 11, 2022, Ingram led the Pelicans to victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a game-winning three-pointer, scoring 33 points along with 9 assists.
During the 2022-2023 NBA season, Ingram had a notable performance in the final game on April 9, scoring a season-high 42 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, along with 7 assists, despite the Pelicans' 113-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On March 24, 2023, Brandon Ingram achieved his first NBA career triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Pelicans to a 115-96 victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
Ingram was a member of the United States national team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where the team finished in fourth place.
On February 6, 2024, Ingram made history with a 41-point, nine-rebound, and six-assist performance in a 138-100 win over the Toronto Raptors. He became the first NBA player to achieve at least 40 points, eight or more three-pointers, and a shooting percentage of 75% or higher from the field without committing a single turnover.
Ingram's current contract is set to expire in the 2025 offseason, making him a free agent.