Due to his slight build and skill set, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram is often compared to Kevin Durant. It is a comparison that even Durant himself sees, which helps explain why the Warriors superstar is a big fan.
But Durant is more than just an admirer, he has also been mentoring and advising the former Duke standout.
From the Orange County Register's Mark Medina:
"I've seen the skills. I've seen the length, the effort and the competitiveness. He looks like a quiet, reserved and nonchalant kid. But when he steps in between the lines, he just wants to play," Durant said. "I have nothing but good things to say and nothing but support for him. I'll be here no matter what, trying to encourage him and helping him out through the process."
Medina points out that although it is early, Ingram is following the same path as Durant. Consider Lakers assistant coach Brian Keefe, who used to work with the Thunder and focused a lot of time on Durant's development. Keefe is doing much of the same training with Ingram.
Ingram is still just a raw 19-year-old, yet he has shown flashes of potential. It looks like he was the right pick at No. 2 overall this past June. Of course Ingram's development will take time, but with Durant and Warriors bench stud Andre Iguodala offering advice, he seems destined for a bright future.
