As NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently said, Brandon Ingram might have the worst sprained ankle ever, making light of his absence as the Raptors seem to head in a tanking direction.
That said, the "Notorious B.I.3." is expected to suit up for the Toronto Raptors soon, and he will play a significant role in the team's future once he’s fully healthy, likely by next season. Another player the Raptors are likely to develop into a key contributor in the coming years is their recent 2024 draft pick, Ja'Kobe Walter. He has displayed significant potential during his rookie season, even amidst some ups and downs.
The 20-year-old former Baylor standout is still early in his professional career and has a lot to develop before reaching his full potential. However, this presents a great opportunity for both him and the Raptors during Ingram's time with the team. A mentorship between the two players could be beneficial, helping Walter grow while also enhancing Ingram’s experience in Toronto.
On the official Toronto Raptors page on X, they posted a black-and-white photo of Walter and Ingram standing side by side, reaffirming their friendship after BI stated during his introductory media scrum, "Kob' [Ja'Kobe], that's gonna be my dawg, that's gonna be my rook."
Is Brandon Ingram taking Ja'Kobe Walter under his wing?
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 20, 2025
Right now, Walter is more of a hustle player for the Raptors rather than the 3-and-D/ scoring wing archetype many anticipated him to be. While he has shown flashes of his potential at times this season, he hasn't quite lived up to those expectations yet. And who better to unlock Walter's hidden scoring potential than Ingram, a proven all-around scorer with a particular knack for mid-range shots?
Ingram clearly has a height and length advantage over Walter, but that doesn't mean Walter can't adapt aspects of Ingram's game. This could even allow him to develop into a kind of BI-lite player for the Raptors in the future. Who knows? Maybe Ingram's success as a mentor to Walter, both professionally and brotherly, could reveal a ceiling in Walter that neither he nor the Raptors franchise anticipated.
While nothing is guaranteed, it’s encouraging to see the camaraderie and rapport that Ingram has already built with his teammates, even before he’s suited up. I even mentioned this topic earlier when Ingram shared a post on social media, praising young Raptors guard Jamal Shead.
He lights up when he talks about them, which is always a positive sign. If Ingram is truly the dedicated player he appears to be and is ready to dive in, he could inspire his teammates to adopt a similar mindset.