Second-overall pick Brandon Ingram will make his most-anticipated Staples Center debut during the preseason next month, but in the meantime he was called upon at another iconic Los Angeles venue.
The rookie Laker threw out the first pitch before Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants, but not before getting some warm-ups in at the Lakers' practice facility.
Lou Williams, for one, was unimpressed by the number of makeshift innings that Ingram threw.
I'm not gonna tell anybody how long @B_Ingram13 practiced his pitching today in the gym he know I ain't lying lol
chillll https://t.co/v6upMvpviA
@TeamLou23 @B_Ingram13 why yu do him like that big bro ?!
Before the game, Ingram got around to meeting several Dodgers, including Yasiel Puig, Clayton Kershaw and Kike Hernandez. Outfielder Trayce Thompson had a request on behalf of his brother, Klay, telling Ingram to “take it easy on the Warriors.”
Throwing out tonight's ceremonial first pitch? @B_Ingram13! #WeLoveLA pic.twitter.com/Ar2neSDmPI
#IngramYourFriend : Jon SooHoo
A photo posted by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Sep 21, 2016 at 7:21pm PDT
8-year-old Semmi, who is currently fighting brain cancer, meets with @B_Ingram13. #SemmiStrong pic.twitter.com/QClks51mrW
That'll work, @kikehndez. pic.twitter.com/s2w5L1Sghi
As for the pitch itself? Ingram may not be challenging Kershaw for a spot in the rotation soon, but his warmups seem to have paid off.
The rook throwing some heat on the mound last night for the @dodgers! #WeLoveLA
A video posted by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Sep 22, 2016 at 11:10am PDT
A photo posted by Brandon X. Ingram (@1ngram4) on Sep 21, 2016 at 6:51pm PDT
He's a natural. #ITFDB pic.twitter.com/ZmQFgMy0wM
Photos courtesy of Matthew Mesa and Jon SooHoo of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
