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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Until a couple of months ago, Brandon Ingrams new locker at the Los Angeles Lakers training complex was occupied by Kobe Bryant.The 18-year-old rookie sees the daunting symbolism in literally taking the place of the most prolific scorer in franchise history, and he greets it with a smile.I did see where my locker was, and I definitely knew it was Kobes locker, Ingram said. (General manager) Mitch (Kupchak) told me I had some big shoes to fill when I came in here, but I liked it. I like the pressure thats on me right now. Of course its going to motivate me to do good things on the court. Its all good pressure for me.Ingram put on those shoes for the first time Tuesday at a practice for the Lakers Las Vegas summer league team. The No. 2 overall pick in last months draft then joined fellow Lakers selection Ivica Zubac in a tour of the complex, posing in front of owner Jeanie Buss collection of championship trophies before receiving their new gold jerseys -- No. 14 for Ingram, No. 40 for Zubac.The Lakers believe Ingram is a centerpiece of their next great roster. Theyre starting nearly from the bottom after the worst season in team history and the retirement of Bryant, who won five titles and became the NBAs third-leading scorer during his 20-year career.Ingram could be two decades away from approaching those achievements, but the smooth-shooting forward hasnt flinched under the weight of comparisons to Bryant -- or to Kevin Durant, another lanky shooter who transformed a struggling team. Just over a year after graduating from high school in tiny Kinston, North Carolina, Ingram is shouldering those burdens with apparent ease.He never talked about (being compared to Durant), said Ingrams father, Donald. He definitely has similar tools on the court, but hes never showed that he feels the pressure. Even here, with people talking about filling Kobes shoes, hes just going to pave his own way. Hes going to be Brandon.Ingram is already determined to build chemistry with Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and fellow No. 2 pick DAngelo Russell, the Lakers point guard. His primary goal is to become a more vocal player after Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski impressed the importance of communication on him last season.I was ready for this first practice, Ingram said. Just getting on the floor with those guys, and just seeing how he (Russell) wants to play, and of course how the coach wants to play. Connecting with those guys is really important to see what they want to do to be a contender in this league.Ingrams cool is even impressing Zubac, the 7-foot Bosnian teenager chosen with the 32nd overall pick. Zubac grew up an enormous Lakers fan, but he wouldnt want Bryants locker.He can have that pressure, Zubac said, drawing a laugh from his new teammate.Ingram will have plenty of support in his rookie season, starting with Luke Walton and the Lakers new coaching staff. Los Angeles also signed fellow Duke product Luol Deng as a free agent, and Ingram intends to stick close to his fellow 6-foot-9 Blue Devil.Hell also have support from family and friends, including Jerry Stackhouse, his longtime mentor and fellow Kinston native.Donald Ingram is a veteran basketball referee who has also run a recreation center back home in Kinston. He raised his sons with a healthy respect for the games rules and fundamentals, putting Brandon into ball-handling drills as a child. Donald was determined to prevent his sons from falling into what he calls the AND1 mentality of flashy, highlight-driven play.Hes always been a player that listened, even when the adults were playing, Donald Ingram said. Thats part of being coachable, his ability to listen. Hes a kid thats willing to learn.Ingrams 25-year-old brother, Bo, played at the University of Texas before getting drafted by the D-League and playing professionally in Mexico. Bo will be out on the West Coast with Brandon after summer league, looking for a place to live before getting to work in September.Were from the East Coast, and hell be 19 years old, Donald Ingram said. We want to make sure he has somebody with him, and hes living as close to the facility as possible. Its a big concern, and that, to me, is more of a concern than his ability to make an impact with the Lakers. Chad Hennings Jersey . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Leighton Vander Esch Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. https://www.cowboysjerseysale.com/1895p-tony-pollard-jersey-cowboys.html . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Cowboys Jerseys 2021 .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Robert Jones Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU.Washington Redskins received a boost ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday as it was confirmed Jordan Reed and Josh Norman have travelled to London. It is the last of the 2016 International Series games, after the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts 30-27, and the New York Giants made history as the first NFL team to win at Twickenham, after a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams last weekend. Tight end Reed will return to the Washington line-up, having missed the last two games after suffering concussion in the Redskins week five win over the Baltimore Ravens. Washington Redskins: Who to Watch Sky Sports assess the key players that could make the difference in London. Norman has been impressive since moving to Washington in a high profile, off-season trade. The cornerback has also recovered from a concussion sustained in last weekends 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. Cincinnati Bengals v Washington Redskins October 30, 2016, 1:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Both players, if fully healthy, can have big impacts for Washington and stand them in good stead to be competitive against the Bengals.ddddddddddddReed is the Redskins best red zone threat, an important element that has been lacking in his absence. Tight end Reed has arrived in London after he was cleared to travel following a concussion However it will be Norman who has the most important job of the afternoon. Head coach Jay Gruden will likely deploy Norman to cover AJ Green, Cincinnatis superstar wide receiver who is averaging over 110 yards a game. The last time Green faced the Redskins was in 2012, when he left Washington with 183 yards and a touchdown. Redskins fans will be hoping Norman can limit his production this time round. Also See: Mariota subdues sorry Jaguars C.J Anderson set for knee surgery Goodell: London franchise NFL week seven round-up ' ' '