Brandon Ingram is emerging as a star after joining the New Orleans Pelicans. But, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the second overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old forward shared how he first struggled with the Los Angeles Lakers. To the point that he found himself in a little depression.
Per Mirin Fader of Bleacher Report:
“I lost joy sometimes. I only lost my joy because I felt like I could do more on the basketball court. I felt like I could help a little bit more,” Ingram says. “I felt like I could have been a little more involved in the offense. I could have been used a little bit better.”
But at times, Ingram struggled. His confidence ebbed, especially earlier in his career. His rookie year, he was trying to adjust to the physicality of the game and was disappointed in his performance. The gulf between who he was and who he wanted to be widened. I know how to play basketball, so why am I having bad practices? he’d think. He spent most nights in the gym, then he’d isolate sometimes, keep to himself. “I went through a little mental depression. Going home to my apartment like, F–k, man. This isn’t me. I was trying to find myself,” he says. “I had moments where I really felt like, Damn, am I ever going to get out of this hole?”
It appears that these issues are a thing of the past, as Ingram is posting 25.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Pelicans.
