NEW YORK — With 15 family members gathered around Brandon Ingram's 7-foot-3 wingspan posing for a photo on the final phase of a whirlwind NBA draft night, the emotion finally started to pour out of the Los Angeles Lakers' No. 2 pick.
One family member out of the picture is Ingram's great aunt, Leatha Smith, who died last summer shortly before he transformed into a lottery pick as a versatile 6-9 forward at Duke.
Ingram, slightly choked up in the moment after a night of elation following his memorable handshake with commissioner Adam Silver, says his great aunt was with him Thursday on his heart — literally. Ingram, who sported a metallic silver jacket on draft night, has a tattoo on his chest that honors his deceased family members, and another one on his right arm with a quote from his great aunt that, at his core, drives him as a man.
Fear of suffering is far worse than suffering itself.
"She's the reason I'm here," Ingram says proudly. "All this family (pauses), they're why I'm here."
Ingram's mother, Joann, adds of the impact on her son: "She helped raise him for five years and they were very close. Sometimes these type of moments bring out what's underneath all the tattoos and relaxed personality."
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