HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — After a decade in the NBA’s development league, former Highland Springs High School standout Andre Ingram landed an NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 32-year-old received the surprise of a lifetime during his exit interview with the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ingram thought he was there for a routine end-of-the-season exit interview. Little did he know; team President Magic Johnson would offer him his first NBA contract for the remaining two games of the season.
“It was all the emotions you would think. It was joy, vindication, it just felt great all the way around,” said Ingram Tuesday. “It was a wonderful moment. They tricked me pretty good.”
The Richmond native graduated from Highland Springs High School is 2003, before playing at American University on a basketball scholarship.
Ingram’s professional career included stops with the now defunct Utah Flash of the G League, six seasons with the South Bay Lakers, and a year in Australia with the Perth Wildcats.
During that decade, Ingram became the G League’s all-time leader in three-pointers made with 713.
Despite a long road to the NBA, Ingram says he’s not bitter, rather grateful and thankful for the opportunity.
“These 10 years have been a joy. I remember it all… They are fond memories. They aren’t angry memories,” he said. “It’s just great that you are appreciated for what you do. It’s just a handsome reward for time put in.
Ingram made his NBA debut Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets.