NBA Draft prospect Brandon Ingram worked out for the purple and gold on Thursday, as Lakers staff got an up-close look at the freshman small forward from Duke.
Afterward, the 18-year-old met with the Los Angeles media in order to discuss his draft process, college career and NBA future.
Below is a full transcript from the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo.
Q: On whether it was extra exciting for him to work out for the Lakers:
Ingram: I think it’s extra excitement anywhere. I’m just happy for this process and have been driven to get to draft night. I’ve just been enjoying the process right now. Just working out and trying to get ready for Summer League.
Q: On how the workout with the Lakers went:
Ingram: It went great. It was something that I’ve working toward and working toward each workout. It’s something I’ve been working toward a long time now. So I’m just working out and trying to do the things that I’ve been doing in my regular workouts here.
Q: On what he wanted to show in this workout:
Ingram: Just myself being physical. Being able to be physical and finish through plays, and of course show a little of my mid-range game. Just knowing that in college it’s a different world than the NBA, and just trying to be physically and mentally tough out here.
Q: On whether the workout was competitive despite not going up against another prospect:
Ingram: Most definitely. Of course, in the one-on-ones and two-on-twos, there are always some competitive parts. Of course, in the shooting drills, you always want to try to make the best shot possible. And I think I got through that.
Q: On how his dinner with Lakers officials went the night before:
Ingram: It went great. All the coaches made me feel comfortable around there and we just had a good time watching the (NBA Finals) game and having dinner. … It was a good dinner for all of the guys, just enjoying ourselves.
Q: On the biggest challenges he has faced during the draft process:
Ingram: Just being physical, I guess. Developing weight and getting stronger with my build right now. I’m just trying to get stronger and knowing that it’s coming naturally, but I’m trying to build everything I can before I get to the next level.
Q: On what he tries to show teams during predraft workouts:
Ingram: About myself mentally; about my determination and how I’m self-driven. Just trying to work as hard as possible on this court and trying to show a little character outside the court. Showing exactly who I am and trying to get a great feel for them.
Q: On whether he thinks about playing for a historic organization like the Lakers:
Ingram: Of course. Duke University was very hard to leave with the class coming in and the coaches around me and my great teammates. But, like you said, it’s a great opportunity for myself and for my family. Just coming in, I knew I would have another great opportunity to get better and play with these professional guys and try to reach my potential.
Q: On what he has done to try to get bigger and stronger:
Ingram: Just eat everything I can (laughs). Of course I think (for) my weight, I can eat anything. I don’t have a certain diet for myself; just eating anything I can and staying in the weight room as much as possible.
Q: On how much he weighs now:
Ingram: I think I came into Duke about 169 (pounds) and I left about 195.
Q: On how he sees himself adapting to the NBA’s physicality:
Ingram: I know it’s going to be a long process, of course. But at the end of the day, it’s basketball. What I’ve been doing my whole life is trying to score the ball and trying to defend. I know everybody in the NBA developed their body in the summer, so I’ll try to do the same thing.
Q: On whether Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski gave him any advice for the workout process:
Ingram: Just being myself. Coach K has always been an advisor for me and he’s always there. He’s talking to me every week about the things that I’m doing and just telling me to be myself. He always told me to be that hungry kid from my hometown, and that’s what I’m trying to be.
Q: On what he learned from Krzyzewski that he brings in the draft process:
Ingram: Just having accountability, being responsible and, whatever you do, just work hard. Whatever you do, just knowing that someone is always watching and (you should be) doing the right things.
Q: On his optimal size:
Ingram: Whatever I can get to. I know my body is naturally gonna get there. Just setting a goal each summer — about 10-15 pounds each summer — and trying to work toward that goal.
Q: On what else he will do in the two weeks leading up to the Draft:
Ingram: Just working out for another team, working out by myself and, after this draft process, I’m working out to do greater in Summer League. So just get with the next organization that wants me and just try to work toward my goal.
Q: On if he has been keeping an eye on new Lakers head coach Luke Walton, who is an assistant for Golden State in the NBA Finals:
Ingram: (Laughs) I’m keeping an eye on everyone. I’m just excited to be in this process right now. I’m excited to live this dream right now.
Q: On if it matters to him if he is drafted first or second overall:
Ingram: It doesn’t matter at all. Of course, I want to go to the organization that wants me, and I want to develop in this league the best way that I can.
Q: On if he has plans to work out for the Philadelphia 76ers:
Ingram: I have a plan to soon. I don’t think I have a day set in stone or my agent has a day set in stone. But I’ll definitely work out for Philadelphia also.
Q: On if he sees himself playing one position or multiple:
Ingram: I think with these top organizations — even when I got recruited by Coach K — he always told me I was position-less. So going into whatever organization I land (with), I know they’ll have a great coach that will see wherever I fit in, and wherever they fit me in is where I’ll play.
Q: On if he prides himself on being versatile enough to play several positions:
Ingram: Most definitely. I think being versatile is a part of this game nowadays. I think, with my body type and how tall I am and with the size I’m developing, I think it’s gonna be important for me to play different positions on the floor.
Q: On how often he heard people comparing him to Kevin Durant:
Ingram: Of course I’ve heard a lot. Of course, he’s way ahead of me right now. But that’s where I want to be. I want to be somewhere I can make my own name.
Q: On which other players he tries to emulate:
Ingram: Even an older player: George Gervin. I watch him a lot. I try to develop his finger roll or his hook shots and just take different things from each player and try to develop it into my game.
Q: On the adjustment from the college 3-point line to the NBA arc:
Ingram: It’s very different, but I think just shooting it in college and shooting the three-ball has been a good adjustment for me.
Q: On how working out for the Lakers compares to being recruited to Duke:
Ingram: They’re all rich organizations. Both are playing under great coaches, and I think just coming in here you see a lot of championships and great players coming through here. Of course, as a kid, you dream of just being in a great organization and making your own brand. So coming into Duke, I had a goal to try to be a national champion. That didn’t happen, but I wanted to be a great player there. And whatever organization is my next step, I want to be another great player there.
Q: On what stood out most about his visit to Los Angeles:
Ingram: The comfortability. Everyone around here are great people. They make you feel comfortable. I can say it’s a family around the Lakers organization.
Q: On being projected by most to be drafted with one of the top two picks:
Ingram: It’s kind of wait-and-see. You want to see (yourself at) No. 1 or 2 or even fall to No. 3. So you never know where you’re going to go. You always keep your eyes open, and whatever organization I land in, I’ll be happy and I’ll work toward my goals.
Q: On what kind of mentor former NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse has been for him:
Ingram: A great one. Just teaching me some of the things he’s learned through his 18-year career. Of course, he’s on Toronto’s bench (as an assistant coach) right now. So just learning from him each year and playing under his (AAU) team — he’s developed a lot of toughness in me and a lot of words and wisdom around me.