Now that the NCAA Tourney is over, it is time for collegiate basketball stars to make the biggest decisions of their basketball careers. In particular, that is the situation Duke freshman Brandon Ingram is in now.
However, fans need not to wait for so long as Ingram has finally declared for the 2016 NBA draft. The Duke Blue Devils, after winning the championship last year, were expecting the lanky forward to be a one-and-done player and head coach Mike Krzyzewski believes his player will blossom to a star in the pros.
"Brandon Ingram was a special player at Duke this year, and his best basketball is still ahead of him," Krzyzewski told NBA.com. "He is a no-maintenance player who loves the game, has a strong desire to get better and competes every time he steps on the floor."
Last year, Duke produced three first-round picks in Philadelphia 76ers' Jahlil Okafor, Miami Heat's Justise Winslow and Minnesota Timberwolves' Tyus Jones. This year, however, it looks like Ingram will be the only one representing Duke in the draft as guard Grayson Allen will likely return for another year in college.
Meanwhile, Ingram first declared his intent to enter draft in his page in The Players Tribune. He also narrated how supportive coach K is in his decision and at the same time reminding him to stay hungry all the time.
He further added he would not have mind playing another year in Duke. However, he feels that he is just too ready for the big leagues and he just do not want to pass up on the opportunity.
"On one hand, one year at Duke isn't a very long time. I know that," Ingram wrote in his page. "But I've done a lot of growing, and growing up, in that time."
Ingram is currently ranked as the second best prospect behind LSU's Ben Simmons and he is projected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, LA Lakers or Phoenix Suns. Duke, meanwhile, will have two 5-star recruits playing for them next season in power forward Harry Giles and small forward Jayson Tatum.
Below are some of Ingram's highlights during his stint with the Blue Devils courtesy of RIC Mixes.