Ex-UNC Standout Demanding NBA Roster Spot With Summer League Play
By Joe Summers
Harrison Ingram was an intriguing NBA prospect at UNC largely thanks to his tenacious rebounding ability and outside shooting prowess. Those two skills were on full display in a spectacular effort for the San Antonio Spurs against China in the NBA Summer League on Tuesday, showcasing why Ingram is deserving of a roster spot in his rookie season.
Drafted in the second round last month by the rebuilding Spurs, Ingram has the luxury of organizational patience as he adjusts to the professional game and develops his playmaking.
Against China, the versatile forward scored 16 points (6-10 from the field, 3-5 from three-point range) with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a dominant 89-67 win.
Former Tar Heels F Harrison Ingram Shines in Impressive Summer League Performance
Harrison Ingram last night vs China
— Tar Heel Tapes (@TarHeelTapes) July 10, 2024
16 PTS (6-10 FG, 3-5 3PT)
10 REB
3 AST
2 STL pic.twitter.com/ruNn64pKNn
He showed a smooth pull-up game and swung the ball well within the flow of the offense, unafraid to shoot when open or drive the lane if the opportunity presented itself. Ingram made a career-high 38.5% of his three-point attempts last year at UNC and if that kind of shooting sustains, he has a long NBA career ahead of him.
At six-foot-eight and 230 pounds, he's got massive size yet possesses the athleticism to run in transition and attack the glass. He averaged 8.8 rebounds per contest as a Tar Heel and that skill seems to have immediately translated.
North Carolina's Harrison Ingram is now 6th in the ACC in rebounding after averaging 13 RPG over his last 6 games. He has been an absolute menace on the court for the Tarheels. RJ is there star, Armando is there anchor down low, but Harrison is the "X" factor. pic.twitter.com/woj6J366Fr
— Jordan Stocks (@StockTalks21) January 30, 2024
Josh Hart became a folk hero for the New York Knicks in large part due to his fearless rebounding. Noticeably and demonstrably larger than Hart, Ingram could make the same kind of impact for the Spurs. Throw him into a lineup with Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio suddenly has a huge math advantage thanks to the offensive rebounding potential.
While Ingram struggled offensively in his first two games, going 6-19 from the field and 1-6 from beyond the arc, he still impacted the game with his work on the glass. Now that he's shown what he can be when his shot is falling, it's obvious the Spurs made a great draft pick.
Even if Ingram stumbles through some shooting woes, he'll deserve minutes as long as he keeps rebounding. His ceiling as a do-everything glue guy alongside Wembanyama and top-five pick Stephon Castle is exciting, giving San Antonio a formidable core in theory.
Ingram's next opportunity to prove his worth comes on Saturday in Las Vegas Summer League against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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