Brandon Ingram Bio
Brandon Xavier Ingram is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A two-time NBA All-Star, he plays the small forward position and stands 6 feet 8 inches tall. He is widely recognized for his scoring ability, length, and craft as a modern wing.
Ingram was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, and he later became a foundational player for the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2020, he earned the NBA Most Improved Player award and was selected as an All-Star during his first season with New Orleans.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Xavier Ingram was born on September 2, 1997, in Kinston, North Carolina, in the United States. He is the son of Donald Ingram and Joann Ingram. He has two half-siblings: an older brother, Donovan, with whom he shares a father, and an older sister, Brittany, with whom he shares a mother. His brother, known as Bo, went on to play college basketball for South Plains College and UT Arlington.
Ingram grew up in a one-story house on Highland Avenue in Kinston, where he spent weekends with his brother Donovan, who taught him the game of basketball. His father started his career as a police officer and a manager of a local gym, but he later transitioned to working full-time at a welding plant that produces forklifts. Donald Ingram was also a high school and collegiate referee and a would-be semi-pro basketball player who once shared the court with former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse, a Kinston native.
Despite growing up in an area with a high crime rate, Ingram kept a steady focus on basketball. By the time he reached eighth grade, Stackhouse became his Amateur Athletic Union coach and helped mentor him as a young player.
Path to Basketball
Ingram played all four years of his high school basketball career at Kinston High School, where he helped the Vikings win four straight NCHSAA 2A state championships. As a senior, he averaged 24.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and was named MVP of the state championship game. That season, he was named North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball and was selected for the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game.
Following his senior season, Ingram was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked among the best high school prospects of his class. On April 27, 2015, he announced that he would attend Duke University and play for the Blue Devils. He cited the North Carolina Tar Heels’ academic scandal as a reason for not committing to his home-state program.
During his lone season at Duke in 2015–16, Ingram started 36 games and averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and AP All-American honorable mention. On April 4, 2016, he declared for the 2016 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Brandon Ingram Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
On June 23, 2016, Brandon Xavier Ingram was selected with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. At 18 years old, he was the second-youngest player drafted that year. He signed his rookie-scale contract on August 23, 2016, and made his debut in the Lakers’ season opener, scoring nine points off the bench in a win over the Houston Rockets.
Over his first two seasons with Los Angeles, Ingram showed steady improvement. He earned a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team at the end of his rookie year and posted a then career-high 32 points against the Golden State Warriors in November 2017. On March 9, 2019, his season was cut short when he was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his arm.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2016–2019)
Ingram spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers after being drafted second overall in 2016. As a young, developing player, he served as a building block for the franchise. He made an immediate impression, showing flashes of scoring and playmaking despite playing on a young team.
His rookie year was highlighted by strong performances against several top opponents, and he was recognized for his development with an All-Rookie Second Team selection. By his second season, he had grown into a more consistent contributor, posting multiple 20-plus-point games before a groin strain and a subsequent concussion cut his 2017–18 campaign short. In 2018–19, Ingram faced a four-game suspension and missed time with a left ankle sprain before being ruled out for the season with a deep vein thrombosis in March 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2019–2025)
On July 6, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Ingram, along with Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, draft rights to De’Andre Hunter, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and cash, to the New Orleans Pelicans for All-Star Anthony Davis. The move gave Ingram a fresh start in New Orleans, where he quickly emerged as a primary scoring option. In his first game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 4, 2019, he set a then career-high with 40 points.
On January 16, 2020, Ingram scored a career-high 49 points in a 138–132 overtime win over the Utah Jazz, hitting a fadeaway jumper to give New Orleans a one-point lead with 0.2 seconds remaining in regulation. He was selected as an NBA All-Star for the first time that season and was named the NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. After the season, he signed a five-year, $158 million contract extension with the Pelicans.
Over the following seasons, Ingram continued to deliver strong performances, including a 37-point, 11-rebound, 9-assist effort in a 2022 playoff win over the Phoenix Suns. In March 2023, he recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Charlotte Hornets. On December 8, 2024, he suffered a left ankle sprain against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which became his final game as a Pelican.
Toronto Raptors Era (2025–Present)
On February 6, 2025, Ingram was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guard-forward Bruce Brown, center Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round draft pick, and a 2031 second-round draft pick. On February 12, 2025, he signed a three-year, $120 million contract extension with the team. On April 9, 2025, he was officially shut down for the season after receiving a PRP injection in his ankle to aid his recovery.
Since joining Toronto, Ingram has been one of the team’s primary offensive options, averaging around 21–22 points per game while shooting efficiently across multiple levels. On February 10, 2026, he was named an All-Star for the second time in his career, replacing the injured Stephen Curry. On April 29, 2026, he re-aggravated a right heel injury during Game 5 and was forced to exit after 11 minutes. On May 8, 2026, he underwent right heel surgery.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brandon Xavier Ingram is a 6-foot-8 prototypical modern wing scorer with size, length, and scoring touch. He is known for his ability to shoot over defenders, hit jumpers from multiple levels, and create tough buckets in isolation. His size allows him to play as a secondary playmaker alongside Scottie Barnes, and his scoring gravity helps open up the offense for his teammates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ingram is the first men’s basketball player in North Carolina history to win four consecutive NCHSAA state championships at Kinston High School. He was the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft and has since been selected as an NBA All-Star twice. He also joined the United States national team that competed in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where the team finished fourth overall.
Brandon Ingram Career Wins
Brandon Xavier Ingram has been recognized with several major individual awards across his professional career. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2020 and 2026, was honored as the NBA Most Improved Player in 2020, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2017. He is also a former McDonald’s All-American, ACC Rookie of the Year, and North Carolina Mr. Basketball.
NBA Highlights
Ingram earned his first NBA All-Star nod in 2020 during his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans. That same year, he captured the NBA Most Improved Player award after averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He returned to the All-Star stage in 2026 as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Ingram led the Kinston Vikings to four straight NCHSAA 2A state championships, becoming the first men’s basketball player in North Carolina history to win four consecutive state titles. At Duke, he was named the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year and earned AP All-American honorable mention.
Brandon Ingram Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Brandon Xavier Ingram was raised in Kinston, North Carolina, by his parents, Donald Ingram and Joann Ingram. He has an older half-brother, Donovan, and an older half-sister, Brittany. His brother Donovan, known as Bo, played college basketball for South Plains College and UT Arlington, and was an early influence on Brandon’s game. His father, Donald, was a high school and collegiate referee, a former police officer, and a would-be semi-pro basketball player who once shared the court with former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse, who later became Brandon’s AAU coach.
Personal Life
As of January 2026, Brandon Xavier Ingram is in a relationship with rapper Glorilla. He signed with Excel Sports Management and is represented by the agency’s founder and president, Jeff Schwartz. In 2016, he signed an endorsement deal with Adidas Basketball. He has also pursued a passion for art, taking a portrait drawing class during his time at Duke.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a major transition for Brandon Xavier Ingram, beginning with his trade to the Toronto Raptors on February 6, 2025. Shortly after the trade, he signed a three-year, $120 million contract extension with the franchise. However, after sustaining a left ankle sprain with the Pelicans in December 2024, he received a PRP injection in April 2025 and was officially shut down for the remainder of the season, preventing him from debuting for Toronto that year.
Following his recovery, Ingram became one of the primary offensive options for the Raptors in the 2025–26 season, averaging around 21–22 points per game with efficient scoring across multiple levels. He provided secondary playmaking alongside Scottie Barnes and helped open up the floor for his teammates with his scoring gravity.
His 2025–26 campaign was highlighted by his second NBA All-Star selection on February 10, 2026, when he replaced the injured Stephen Curry. His season, however, was cut short on April 29, 2026, when he re-aggravated a right heel injury during Game 5, leading to right heel surgery on May 8, 2026.
