While Monday was the official announcement of Brandon Ingram winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, it was not the first Ingram learned of his achievement. In the leadup to the Bucks-Heat Eastern Conference semi-finals game, the TNT national broadcast showed a clip of Ingram on a Zoom call prior to Monday with his family as his mother was the one who told him he won the award.
Shortly after, the Pelicans released a longer version of the meeting, which also included teammate Lonzo Ball and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson. Ball’s involvement in the announcement comes as a result of the close bond he and Ingram have formed.
Benson acknowledged Ball’s role in helping Ingram reach his All-Star and Most Improved Player level at the end of the video.
“Lonzo, I understand you were right htere with him through every two-a-day workout and you should be equally proud of what you’ve helped bring about here today. Thank you both for all your hard work that you’ve done. Well deserved. Thank you.”
Ball has been one of Ingram’s most ardent supporters and, as noted by Benson, has been alongside Ingram every step of the way. The two would regularly hit the gym together on nights before games and Ball was as outspoken as any for Ingram to be named an All-Star this season, an honor he would receive.
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