When you constantly compare and tell an 18-year-old who has yet to play a single NBA game that he is the next version of one of the league's top superstar players, you should almost expect that player to be a little more than confident.

There would be no surprise to see him completely engrossed in what people say, and believe that he really is on the path to greatness.

That’s where Los Angeles Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram comes in, and he’s trying to avoid that.

Ingram spoke about the comparisons to Kevin Durant with The Vertical’s Chris Mannix:

It’s a very special comparison. But, of course, I know I'm not him. I know I'm not him yet, but I have the potential to make my own brand.

During Team USA’s basketball camp in Las Vegas, Serena Williams asked Durant about Ingram and he responded saying:

First person I can say, that I can look at him & feel like I’m looking in the mirror.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Kevon Looney, Al Horford, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela on the Lakers court.
Sources: Lakers’ likeliest strategy to fixing center problemAnthony Irwin ·
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) makes a block attempt against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) during the first half at Delta Center.
NBA rumors: Lakers insider reveals why trade for Jazz star is unlikelyScotty White ·
Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Western Conference forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Giannis Antetokounmpo sounds off on LeBron James’ ‘no bag’ mic dropJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic seen putting in offseason work in the gymRexwell Villas ·
Kobe Bryant Nike Air Force 1 "Triple White", Kobe Bryant, Nike Air Force 1
Kobe Bryant Nike Air Force 1 ‘Triple White’ release detailsDominik Zawartko ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to Jamie Foxx’s big BET Awards nightJosh Davis ·

Durant even added that the new rookie’s development is further along than he was at the same age.

Listed at  6-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Ingram possess the same skinny frame that Durant did when he debuted with the Seattle SuperSonics.

According to Mannix, Ingram is on a 5,000-calorie-a-day diet, trying to gain 20 pounds in time for the start of the NBA season.

Ingram says he looks up to Durant, and looks forward to playing against him.

You grow up with him as an idol, and in a few months he's going to become my rival.It's going to be a dream come true. I think just watching him for so long and having the ability to actually learn and play against him is just going to be a special motivation for me as a competitor and someone who really looked up to him.

[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/durant-lakers-couple-years-away-want/”]NEXT: Durant: Lakers are a couple years away from where I want to be[/button]