Ingram calls Kobe an inspiration: It's an honor to try to fill his shoes

Brandon Ingram has the "Mamba Mentality."

The Los Angeles Lakers small forward was given Kobe Bryant's old locker in his rookie year - months after the legend retired - and doesn't take that symbolic passing of the torch lightly.

"I think about it every day. First, it was the one over at the old practice facility, then it's Kobe's locker at Staples, and he had the suit locker right beside," Ingram told reporters Sunday.

"Every day I go in the tunnel I think about how blessed I am to be in this position. How this guy spent 20 years in this same position. I have to say, it's an honor to try to be there, fill some shoes, and just try to come here and work every day."

Instead of crumbling under the pressure, the sophomore forward uses it as motivation to try to get better every single day in a bid to build a legacy as great as the Black Mamba's.

"I know that I'm going to be something special," the 20-year-old said. "I come here every day to work hard on different parts of my game. I know eventually I'm going to get there. When you put in the work, I don't think you feel pressure or fear or anything."

The Lakers are set to retire both No. 8 and 24 in honor of Bryant on Monday against the Golden State Warriors.

Ingram praised the 18-time All-Star's work ethic and tenacious defense, and called him an inspiration whose influence extends far beyond Los Angeles.

"Not just for the team, over this league, he's an inspiration for how hard he works," Ingram said. "He kind of sets the bar as one of the greatest players to ever play this game. When you come in here, you see his jersey, his number on the wall, all the accolades and everything that he's done, it's crazy to think that."

Bryant, 39, was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He averaged 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals over 20 seasons with L.A., and racked up two scoring titles, two Finals MVPs, the 2008 league MVP, and five championships.

Ingram hopes to follow in his footsteps and maybe have his number retired someday, too.