Brandon Ingram Finds His Rhythm in Toronto, One Year After Trade
TORONTO - Exactly one year after Brandon Ingram was traded north of the border, the 28-year-old forward stepped onto the court at Scotiabank Arena and delivered a performance that felt like both a statement and a tribute.
Ingram poured in 33 points in the Raptors’ 123-107 win over the Chicago Bulls - his seventh 30-point game of the season - but the night carried more weight than just the numbers on the scoreboard. For Ingram, it was a full-circle moment. A reminder of how far he’s come, and who helped him get here.
“Yeah, my brother mentioned the anniversary when I was talking to him,” Ingram said postgame. “But I also thought about my great aunt. It would’ve been her birthday.”
Leatha Smith wasn’t just a relative - she was a guiding force in Ingram’s life. She raised him for seven years in North Carolina and left a lasting mark before passing away the summer before his freshman year at Duke.
Every holiday, especially Christmas, brings back memories of her - like the time she gave him his first cell phone. That connection still fuels him.
“I think about her a lot,” Ingram said. “She raised me for seven years. I know she’s looking down at me, and she is proud of me.”
On the back of his bicep, Ingram carries a permanent reminder of her influence: a tattoo that reads, “Fear of suffering is far worse than suffering itself.” It’s a quote from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - a line his great aunt used to repeat often, and one that’s become a personal mantra.
That mindset proved essential during a tough stretch after the trade. Ingram was dealt from New Orleans to Toronto a year ago, but fans had to wait to see him in a Raptors jersey.
A severely sprained left ankle, suffered on December 8, 2024, sidelined him for 10 months. It wasn’t the debut anyone expected - least of all Ingram.
“Absolutely, that made the trade a little more difficult,” he said. “But it also gave me time to sit and watch my new team. I got a feeling for my new teammates and where I was going to fit in.”
Now that he’s healthy, it’s clear where he fits: right in the heart of a surging Raptors squad. At 6-foot-9, Ingram’s versatility and scoring touch have helped Toronto rack up 31 wins with 29 games still to play - already surpassing their total from last season. His impact has been immediate and undeniable.
“This has been a good move for me,” Ingram said, his voice soft but steady. “I needed a fresh start.
I love this team, this city, and my teammates. The coaching staff has been super.”
It’s easy to see why. Ingram’s blend of length, skill, and feel for the game gives Toronto a different dimension. But beyond the box score, it’s the resilience - the ability to weather a long rehab, adapt to a new team, and still shine - that tells the real story.
A year ago, Ingram arrived in Toronto as a question mark. Now, he’s looking more and more like a cornerstone. And on a night filled with reflection, he reminded everyone - including himself - exactly why he’s here.