Lakers: Brandon Ingram Motivated by Winning Rookie of the Year

Brandon Ingram’s goal that’s keeping him motivated for his first season with the Lakers: winning NBA Rookie of the Year

Expectations for Brandon Ingram entering his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers vary. On one hand, Ingram comes to LA as the No. 2 overall pick from the 2016 NBA Draft. There are obvious expectations stemming from that. However, Ingram also comes into the league with his tremendous upside serving as his greatest asset. Therefore, it could be a season or two before he starts touching his potential.

However, Ingram has his own set of expectations for himself as he gets set to begin his rookie year with the Lakers. Specifically, Ingram is motivated by his desire to win Rookie of the Year.

After attending the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program on Aug. 8-11, Ingram spoke with Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. While the young Duke product admitted that every rookie in the NBA should want it, his goal for the 2016-17 NBA season is some Rookie of the Year hardware.

Perhaps more impressive than his desire for individual accolades, though, is the measured approach Ingram brings to the Lakers in his first year. In the same interview with Medina, Ingram spoke about his expectations for the team as a whole this season. The rookie responded by saying that the primary focus should be to develop “chemistry” with his teammates. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of establishing a “good locker room.” That’s a damn mature answer from an 18-year-old rookie.

Though he’s not yet played a single regular season game for the Lakers, Ingram continues impressing this offseason. He delivers mature responses time and again like this. Yet he also portrays a fire and hunger that you want from a potential star at the same time.

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It may be too soon to say, but all signs continue to point to the Lakers having landed a gem.