NCAA Basketball Recruiting: 2021 Combo guard Harrison Ingram taking Texas by storm

2020 NCAA Basketball prospect Harrison Ingram is taking the Texas high school basketball scene by storm as a rising junior for the St. Mark Lions of Dallas, TX.

Harrison Ingram comes from a basketball family. His brother, Will Ingram, plays for the Division III Middlebury Panthers. His cousin Nicole White played women’s NCAA Basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks in the mid-90s.

Ingram started playing basketball as a young kid about 5-7 years old because of Will and he has always trained with him ever since they were young.

“My love for the game is what motivates me to play basketball. I want to be the best I can [be], and I want to make a living off of this sport. Basketball is what I want to do for as long as I can,” he said.

Ingram will step into a leadership role as an upperclassman for the St. Mark’s Lions who went 29-5 overall and 7-0 in the Southwest Prep North district standings. The Lions won the third place game against the Oakridge Owls in the Southwest Prep Conference playoffs 65-60.

As a result of his great play on the court, Ingram earned Texas high school basketball Sophomore of the Year honors, All-Tournament team honors in the Mavs Classic and Coca Cola Tournament, was named Dallas Sports Day Player of the Week and Southwest Prep All-State. He averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.

“I learned that I needed to get stronger from my freshman to sophomore season because these seniors were not going to take it easier on me just because I was four years younger. Also, I know I have a target on my back because of what I’ve been able to accomplish and know every game I have to bring my best,” Ingram said about what his first two years of high school basketball taught him.

Ingram holds scholarship offers from Tennessee, Arkansas, UCLA, Kansas, Stanford, Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Georgetown and more.

“A more dominant scorer.  He is extremely unselfish and is always willing to make the extra pass because he trusts his teammates and enjoys seeing them experience the limelight.  However, he is so good at putting the ball in the basket, and I want to see him string together multiple 30 and 40-point games this coming season,” St. Mark Lions Head Coach Greg Guiler said.

The 6’7, 200 pound, Dallas native, knew that he had the talent to play the game when he hit a buzzer beater to send a game into overtime for his AAU team in the sixth grade. Coach Guiler recalls seeing Harrison Ingram play as an eighth grader.

“He was an eighth grader and not allowed to compete for any of our high school teams.  However, his brother was our senior point guard and best player, so I invited Harrison to practice with us one day.  He was unstoppable and did not miss a single shot,” he said. “Our entire staff had to turn our heads in stretches because we didn’t want the upperclassmen to see our astounded reactions when this eighth grader would make varsity starters look silly at times.”

Guard Harrison Ingram is the top 2021 prospect in the nation from Jabari Johnson on Vimeo.

Looking at Harrison Ingram on film, I was impressed with his ability to shoot the basketball from three-point range and mid-range. He has a smooth jump shot and the ability to drive to the basket, create his own shot and use his court vision to get his teammates involved. His seven-foot wingspan also bodes well for him on defense.

“He has always been a sensational player, but his mental and physical toughness have improved significantly every year.  He has mastered a number of concepts (particularly on the defensive end of the court), and he now thinks for the team better than ever,” Guiler said. “Moreover, because he has been in so many competitive situations, he possesses the maturity to never lose focus on the task at hand and keep the team poised no matter the circumstance.”

Ingram has enjoyed the recruiting process thus far and thinks that it’s the best feeling in the world to have coaches that he has seen on TV sit down and talk to him. Right now, he’s focused on getting better and being the best for his team.

“I will be looking for a school I can make an immediate impact on when I get on campus and also a school that fits my playing style. My parents and I will ask questions about development (i.e. if I wanted to work out, who would work me out at night?), etc. Lastly, I want a program that is on the rise and is trying to win.” Ingram said about what he will be looking for on visits to schools.

In the classroom, Ingram would like to study finance or computer science. As a third option, he would like to become a businessman like his dad. He credits his parents and his brother for the support that they have given him.

He has never been a person to model his game after another NBA player because he wants to be known as Harrison Ingram. He does look at what players like LeBron James, James Harden, and Paul George do on the court.

“I believe the best part of my game is my versatility because I can do anything the coach wants of me. I can be a spot up shooter, I can grab rebounds, but my best part is definitely my passing and playmaking. I love creating for myself and others and have been known to get many assists while also keeping the defender honest by scoring myself.”

Coach Guiler said that Ingram’s feel for the game will translate with him to the college level. He added that he makes the game look easy. In order for the Lions to win the Southwest Prep Conference championship, Harrison Ingram thinks that defense and ball movement will be keys to success.

“…In order for us to win the championship next year, we will need to improve our defense and make sure our ball movement is good. If we do that, we will be a very, very, tough team to beat.”