Brandon Ingram
Born 1997 · Age 28
American professional basketball player. Drafted 2nd overall in 2016 by the Los Angeles Lakers; NBA All-Star and 2020 NBA Most Improved Player; played for Lakers (2016–2019), New Orleans Pelicans (2019–2025), traded to Toronto Raptors (2025).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Kinston, North Carolina
Brandon Xavier Ingram born to Donald and Joann Ingram in Kinston, NC.
Brother Donovan plays college basketball (contextual family milestone)
Older brother Donovan ('Bo') later played college basketball at South Plains College (2008–2010) and UT Arlington (2010–2012); influential in Brandon's development.
Jerry Stackhouse begins mentoring (AAU coach)
By eighth grade, former NBA player Jerry Stackhouse coached and mentored Ingram through AAU/Stackhouse Elite programs.
Won 1st high school state championship (Kinston)
Came off the bench as a freshman and helped Kinston High School win the NCHSAA 2-A state championship (victory over Cuthbertson).
Won 2nd consecutive state championship (Kinston)
Sophomore season: Kinston defeated Cuthbertson for a second straight state title; Ingram averaged 12.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 1.5 APG that year.
Junior year breakout; 3rd state title and regional MVP
Junior year averaged 19.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.5 BPG; led Kinston to third straight state title (scored 28 & grabbed 16 in deciding game); named Eastern Regional MVP.
Participated in NBPA Top 100 Camp
Played at the NBPA Top 100 Camp (John Paul Jones Arena) as a top junior prospect.
High school honors: Parade All‑American & Nike Hoop Summit
Named First‑team Parade All‑American and played in the Nike Hoop Summit in 2015.
Senior year: averaged 24.3 PPG and 10.4 RPG
Senior season at Kinston: 24.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG; team finished 26–4.
Won 4th consecutive state championship; MVP of final
In final high school game (NCHSAA championship at Dean E. Smith Center) scored 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks; first male to win 4 straight NCHSAA championships.
Selected for McDonald's All‑American Game
Participated in the 2015 McDonald's All‑American Game, scoring 15 points with 5 rebounds.
Named North Carolina Mr. Basketball
Awarded North Carolina Mr. Basketball and NCBCA Player of the Year following senior season.
Committed to Duke University
Announced commitment to Duke to play college basketball for the 2015–16 season.
Duke loses Champions Classic to Kentucky; Ingram named to Wooden watchlist
Duke lost to Kentucky in Champions Classic; Ingram became one of seven freshmen on the John Wooden Award 50-man preseason watchlist.
Won 2K Sports Classic with Duke
Duke defeated Georgetown to capture the 2K Sports Classic Championship at Madison Square Garden.
24 points vs Indiana in ACC–Big Ten Challenge
Scored 24 points in Duke's win over Indiana, earning ACC Rookie of the Week honors soon after.
Career-high 26 points vs Georgia Southern
Scored a then career-high 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a home win.
Appeared in Speed Stick commercial
Made an appearance in a Speed Stick commercial alongside Kris Dunn leading up to the NBA Draft.
Blocked career-high 6 shots vs Virginia Tech
Recorded a career-high 6 blocks in a January 2016 home win.
20 points, 10 rebounds vs North Carolina
Scored 20 and grabbed 10 to give Duke a one‑point win over rival North Carolina.
Sweet 16 exit from NCAA Tournament
Duke advanced to and lost in the Sweet 16 to Oregon; Ingram scored 24 in that game.
Named ACC Rookie of the Year and AP Honorable Mention All‑American
Following a 36-game freshman season (17.3 PPG), Ingram earned ACC Rookie of the Year and AP honorable mention honors.
Declared for 2016 NBA Draft (forgoing remaining eligibility)
Announced decision to enter the NBA Draft after one season at Duke.
Signed with Excel Sports Management
Signed representation with Excel Sports Management (Jeff Schwartz).
Named to 2016 USA Men's Select Team
Selected to the 2016 U.S. select team that trained with the 2016 U.S. Olympic basketball team.
Signed endorsement with Adidas
Adidas announced signings of top 2016 draft picks; Ingram signed with Adidas Basketball.
Selected 2nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Lakers
Drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Signed rookie-scale contract with Lakers
Officially signed his rookie contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA regular-season debut
Debuted for the Lakers in season opener, scoring nine points off the bench in a win over Houston.
9 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists (near triple-double)
Finished one assist and one point shy of recording the youngest triple-double in NBA history in a game vs Cleveland.
Reached 79 games as rookie season (2016–17)
Rookie season totals included 79 games played with averages of 9.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG.
Participated in Rising Stars Challenge (2017)
Selected to play in NBA Rising Stars during All‑Star Weekend as a rookie.
Delta 'Beyond the Court' campaign collaboration
Worked with L.A. artist Jonas Never on Delta's 'Beyond the Court' campaign, showcasing passions outside basketball.
Scored 22 points (first 20+ game)
Scored 22 points vs San Antonio, first time surpassing 20 in an NBA game.
Named to NBA All‑Rookie Second Team
Earned All‑Rookie Second Team honors for the 2016–17 NBA season.
Summer League performance: scored 26 in debut
Scored 26 in his only Summer League game; praised for his performance.
Then career-high 25 points vs Phoenix
Scored a then career-high 25 in a Lakers win over the Suns.
Career-high 32 points vs Golden State
Scored a career-high 32 in an overtime loss to the Warriors.
Participated in Rising Stars Challenge (2018)
Again participated in the Rising Stars Challenge representing Team USA/world.
22 points and career-high 14 rebounds vs Charlotte
Posted 22 points and 14 rebounds, a career rebounding high at the time.
Groin strain; missed 12 games
Suffered a groin strain and missed 12 straight games during the 2017–18 season.
Neck contusion; entered concussion protocol
Suffered a neck muscle contusion and was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol, missing the remainder of the season.
Suspended 4 games after on‑court altercation
Received a four-game suspension early in the 2018–19 season for involvement in a fight against the Houston Rockets.
Career-high 36 points vs Philadelphia
Scored a career-high 36 points in a loss to the 76ers.
Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT); out for season
Ruled out for the remainder of the 2018–19 season due to a DVT in his arm.
Traded to New Orleans Pelicans in Anthony Davis deal
Traded by Lakers to Pelicans as part of the multi‑player package for Anthony Davis (package included Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, draft assets and cash).
Scored then career-high 40 points vs Brooklyn
Recorded a then career-high 40 points in a loss to the Nets.
Named NBA All‑Star (first time)
Selected as an NBA All‑Star during his first season with the Pelicans.
Named NBA Most Improved Player
Awarded the 2020 NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 23.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 4.2 APG.
Re-signed with Pelicans: five-year, $158 million contract
Re-signed to a five-year, $158,000,000 contract (no player/team option) after 2019–20 season.
Career-high 49 points vs Utah Jazz
Scored a career-high 49 points in a 138–132 overtime win over the Jazz, including a late fadeaway to give New Orleans a lead.
Career-high 12 assists in a game
Recorded a career-high 12 assists along with 24 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Dallas.
Season-high 40 points vs Houston
Scored 40 points in a loss to the Rockets two days after his 12‑assist game.
Game-winning 3 to beat Timberwolves
Recorded 33 points and 9 assists and hit a game-winning three to lift Pelicans to a victory.
37 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists in Playoffs Game 2 vs Suns
Nearly triple-double in a 125–114 playoff win over Phoenix (Game 2).
Scored 30 in Playoffs Game 4 to tie series 2–2
Scored 30 points in Game 4 against Phoenix to even the first-round series.
Underwent surgery on right pinky; sidelined 6–8 weeks
Had surgery on his right pinky and was ruled out for approximately 6–8 weeks.
Member of USA national team at FIBA World Cup (finished 4th)
Represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup; team finished fourth.
Recorded first NBA triple-double (30-11-10)
Achieved first career triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists vs Charlotte.
Second 30-point triple-double (31-11-10)
Recorded another triple-double (31-11-10) vs Denver, joining Chris Paul in Pelicans history for multiple 30/10/10 games.
Season-high 42 points in final regular-season game
Posted season highs of 42 points and 12 rebounds with 7 assists in loss to Minnesota.
Historic 41‑point game (unique shooting line)
Scored 41 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists vs Raptors; first player in NBA history to have 40+ points, 8+ made threes, 75%+ FG while committing zero turnovers.
Suffered left ankle sprain (last game for Pelicans)
Sustained a left ankle sprain in a December 8, 2024 loss; marked as his last game played for New Orleans.
Estimated net worth (approx.)
Estimated net worth after contracts and endorsements: roughly $60,000,000 (estimate based on career earnings, contracts and endorsements).
Career earnings (reported floor) at least $182,076,685
Basketball-Reference reports career gross earnings of at least $182,076,685 through 2025 (aggregate of NBA salaries).
Traded to Toronto Raptors
Traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2031 second-round pick.
Signed 3‑year, $120M extension with Raptors
Signed a three-year, $120,000,000 contract extension with Toronto shortly after being traded.
Shut down for season after PRP injection
Officially shut down for the remainder of the season after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection to help ankle recovery; never played a game for Toronto that season.
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