Sixers Get Close Look At Ingram
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Brandon Ingram insists he doesn't care where he goes in the upcoming NBA Draft. The 76ers are deciding if the Duke standout is worthy of going number one.
Ingram was in town to work out for the team on Monday with the draft less than two weeks away. Anyone associated with the game of basketball believes Ingram and LSU's Ben Simmons will be the first two players to be selected on June 23rd. On Monday, Ingram got a chance to work out for the team which holds the first pick overall.
"It went really well," said Ingram. "I worked on different things and was just developing comfortability with the coaches and the teammates. Overall, it was great."
Many believe Simmons is headed to the Sixers, and Ingram will become a Laker when the second choice is made. Ingram downplayed any desire to go at number one, and insisted he will be happy just to get a chance to play pro basketball at the highest level.
"I can't make the decisions," Ingram said. "It'll be good to hear my named called at one, two or three in the draft. It doesn't matter to me as long as I'm an NBA player."
READ: Fan Poll: 76ers Should Take Ingram Over Simmons
Now that the Sixers have worked out Ingram, there is a question as to whether they will get a chance to see Simmons before draft night. General Manager Bryan Colangelo said the team has yet to confirm a time and day to bring Simmons to Philadelphia for a workout. There is a possibility Simmons will not work out for the team, but Colangelo stressed it will not change the Sixers plans when they are on the clock with the top pick.
"It's not a red flag," said Colangelo. "We know a lot about Ben Simmons just like we knew a lot about Brandon Ingram before this event. A workout like this doesn't make or break a guy's candidacy, but it certainly helps in the evaluation process."
If the Sixers do select Ingram, the Duke product has made it clear that Philadelphia has made a strong first impression. Ingram had a chance to spend time in the city, and received plenty of greetings from fans across the region. Ingram also liked what he saw from both the city itself and his potential teammates.
"It's a great city," Ingram said. "There are great guys around here. The have great teammates around here and great people around here. Overall, I felt comfortable being out in the city."