League Veteran Andre Ingram Drops 19 in NBA Debut

Veteran G-League guard Andre Ingram had waited 10 years to make his debut in the National Basketball Association. After spending ten seasons in the G League (formerly known as the D League), Andre Ingram finally got his call.

Ingram's fourth 3-pointer with 51 seconds left trimmed Houston's end in 102-99, nevertheless the Lakers didn't score as soon as extra.

Ingram was hot for the Lakers, scoring 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding three rebounds and an assist.

Either you're a big fan of the G League and its record book, as Ingram holds the league record for the most made three-point field goals in a career (713), or you're one of the middle or high school math students he tutors.

Andre Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a game against the Houston Rockets on April 10, 2018.

"I kept coming back because I genuinely thought I was close", Ingram said.

"From the team warm-ups, the atmosphere was electric". It was truly a once in a lifetime moment and one the salt and peppered Ingram earned, all the way down to the "MVP" chants from the Staples Center crowd. "MVP chants, that's merely insane".

Ingram's 19 points were the most by a Lakers rookie debut since Nick Van Exel in 1993.

"Once I talked to Magic and everything, I was, I don't know, just emotions were flowing, and I didn't want to stop it", he said, referring to Lakers president Magic Johnson.

After all, he is 384 games into a career which, until now, had been mostly spent in the G-League, the NBA's minor league.

Ingram also earned respect from around the world, receiving praise from NBA, MLB, and National Football League players, among many others.

"I told him I heard about his story, and that grind is unbelievable", the also 32-year-old Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul said. "I told him, 'Much respect.' I mean, 10 years grinding in the G League, to finally get an opportunity and to play like that, it's pretty special".