Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram has developed into one of the NBA’s most gifted scorers, blending effortless shot creation with the length and skill to impact games from anywhere on the floor. His smooth offensive style, improving playmaking, and ability to take over in crucial moments have established Ingram as the centerpiece of every team he has led.

Here is the detailed information about Brandon Ingram:

  • Full Name: Brandon Xavier Ingram
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born September 2, 1997
  • Hometown: Kinston, North Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 15 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 14
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School: Kinston High School, Kinston, North Carolina
  • College: Duke University (Duke Blue Devils) (2015–2016)
  • NBA Draft: 2016, 1st round, 2nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Brandon Ingram has three siblings—two older half-brothers, Donovan and Bo Ingram, and an older half-sister, Brittany Ingram.

Brandon Ingram’s player archetype is a shot-creating scoring forward whose game is built around patience, length, and difficult shot-making from the mid-range. He rarely appears hurried, preferring to probe defenses before rising into pull-up jumpers or using his long strides to reach the basket. Ingram also functions as a secondary playmaker, regularly initiating offense and finding open teammates when extra defenders converge. His lean 6-foot-8 frame and exceptional wingspan give him the physical tools to contest shots across multiple positions, even if his defensive impact has tended to fluctuate from game to game. Rather than overwhelming opponents with explosive athleticism, he relies on rhythm, footwork, and measured decision-making, producing an offensive style that is smooth, methodical, and difficult to disrupt once he finds his preferred spots.

Scouting Report

Brandon Ingram plays with a tempo that can be deceptive because nothing about his game looks rushed, yet defenders keep finding themselves a step behind. He isn’t trying to overwhelm people with explosive bursts. Instead, he uses long strides, subtle hesitations and an unusually high release point to manufacture clean looks that seem unavailable until the ball is already leaving his hand. I’ve always thought his best work comes when he strings moves together rather than attacking immediately off the first dribble. He’ll come off a ball screen, snake into the middle, keep the defender on his hip and wait for the help to declare itself before rising into a pull-up or slipping a pass to a cutter drifting behind the defense. As a passer, he’s more patient than flashy, preferring to manipulate weak-side defenders into opening a passing lane instead of forcing difficult reads. Defensively, his length allows him to crowd jump shooters, disrupt passing angles and recover after helping at the nail, but his engagement can fluctuate from possession to possession, particularly against physical wings who are intent on getting downhill. The trade-off offensively is similar. His comfort in the mid-range is a genuine weapon, although there are stretches where settling for difficult contested jumpers limits the pressure he could be applying at the rim or by moving the ball earlier. To me, Ingram is most effective alongside decisive guards and active finishers who reward his deliberate style, allowing him to shift between primary creation and secondary scoring without having to force every possession into isolation. That’s where the game slows down in his favor. His blend of length, shot-making and measured playmaking evokes shades of Paul Pierce, while the smooth pacing and preference for operating from the elbows and extended mid-range carry echoes of Khris Middleton, albeit with a greater willingness to handle the ball as an initiator.

Notes:

  • Brandon Ingram’s height with shoes is listed at approximately 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm). Without shoes, his height is measured at 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm).
  • Brandon Ingram’s listed playing weight is 190 pounds (86 kg).
  • Similar players to Brandon Ingram include Michael Porter Jr., Paul George, Tayshaun Prince, and Rashard Lewis.

Player Insights

Based on Brandon Ingram’s injury history, I think the Pelicans would be willing to pay considerably more to acquire Jimmy Butler than they would be to continue building around Ingram. If that’s an accurate read, New Orleans would likely view a Butler trade as an opportunity to move on from Ingram while taking a calculated gamble on a proven veteran. From Miami’s perspective, the bigger question would be what additional assets Pat Riley could extract as part of the deal. (Written 2/3/2025)