Harrison Ingram signing deal is first step to become second-round success story

Let's get this obvious point out of the way: everything that will potentially happen for Harrison Ingram will depend on his work ethic and health. Now that that's done, let's move on to the important stuff. The San Antonio Spurs signed Ingram to a two-way deal, making him the final draft pick to agree to terms with the organization.

It may not be everything, but pedigree matters in the NBA, and Ingram played for the storied North Carolina Tar Heels. They made the NCAA Tournament as a one-seed, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before being knocked off in a two-point loss to Alabama. In the game, Ingram would stuff the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. He was the third option, at best, behind upperclassmen Armando Bacot and RJ Davis, but he made his presence felt.

Alabama would go on to the Final Four, where they would lose to Stephon Castle and the eventual champion UConn Huskies.

Harrison Ingram has the grit to earn a one-way contract

Ingram was the 19th prospect in the nation coming out of high school at St. Mark's in Dallas, Texas. Chet Holmgren, Scoot Henderson and others came out of the same high school class and while he may not have had the same hype they did, he was a respected hooper. He chose to go to Stanford and stayed with them from 2021–2023, but then entered the transfer portal, despite having a spectacular career as a Cardinal, and decided UNC was in his best interest.

Ingram is not going to wow you with explosive athleticism. He's a smart player who thinks the game, and he's willing to do the little things to win. As the third option on UNC, he averaged 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. That's a player who's trying to get after it on a nightly basis. He has some of the biggest hands in his entire draft class and a 7'0" wingspan at 6'5 without shoes. All the tools are there to be great, so fans should look forward to watching the man work.