Rising Los Angeles Lakers star Brandon Ingram has already started to build a good relationship with new teammate Lonzo Ball. Ingram and Ball, the number two overall picks of the 2016 and 2017 NBA drafts, respectively, are considered to be the future of the Lakers. Ingram and Ball have been around each other for less than a month, however, the two 19-year-old's got to know each other very quickly, as they've been spending a lot of time working out together in the gym.
Ball and Ingram
''It's pretty good,'' Ingram told ESPN when asked about the development of their relationship.
''I think it's natural for him to come in here and have a good relationship with everyone. He's very lovable and he's a very humble kid. So I think as we go on through these months and get ready for this upcoming season, it's gonna be fun.''
Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball haven't discussed the guard's interesting NBA Las Vegas Summer League sneaker choice. Ball has his own signature shoe, the ZO2, as his family is standing behind the Big Baller Brand. The UCLA product unsurprisingly wore Big Baller Brand sneakers in his Summer League debut but then went on to rock the signature shoes of James Harden and Stephen Curry, who represent Adidas and Under Armour, respectively -- as well as Kobe Bryant's Nike Kobe AD.
It could be argued that the heavily talented guard is promoting himself, as he hasn't struck a deal with any major sneaker company yet.
''I don't think we get into that. I think that's for the fans, a little bit,'' Ingram said. ''We talk about other things around basketball. So everything we've been doing is just surrounded by having fun.''
No days off
Brandon Ingram has rejected the idea of being a spectator in Las Vegas as he has been putting in work regularly in Sin City.
Ingram suffered an injury at the end of the Lakers' opening Summer League game against city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers on June 7. Though it was nothing serious, the team decided to immediately shut down the 19-year-old for the rest of the competition.
Ingram shined in a 96-93 loss to the Clippers, scoring 26 points, dishing out three assists, and collecting three steals.
Though weakened by Ingram's absence, the Lakers went on to reach the semifinals, where they are set to battle the Dallas Mavericks.
''Oh, this last week? Just been working out, working out with the team some, working out individual and just coming out here and supporting my team. So I'm still staying in the gym and I'm still supporting my team,'' Ingram said.
