D-Fenders’ Andre Ingram impresses with win in D-League 3-point contest

One of the highlights of the NBA All-Star weekend saw Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson out-shooting backcourt mate Stephen Curry in the three-point contest on Saturday in Toronto.

Thompson scored 27 points in final round, finishing ahead of Curry’s 23.

Earlier that day, D-Fenders guard Andre Ingram showed a similar touch, matching Thompson’s score of 27 to defeat Westchester Knicks guard Jimmer Fredette in the D-League three-point shootout.

“I didn’t know how well I was going to do. I knew what mindset I was going to take going into it, I was just going to let it fly,” Ingram said Wednesday.

How does he feel, matching the performance of Thompson, one of the best shooters in the world?

“I’m glad you’re saying it. I ain’t saying it, he’ll come after me,” Ingram joked. “I feel like I can shoot with the best of them, I wanted to show that this weekend. I was glad I did. You know what you’re capable of, but until you do it, I guess you really, truly don’t know.”

Through two rounds of the contest, Ingram hit 39 of 50 attempts (78.0%). Saturday was his second win in the D-League three-point contest, after taking the title in 2010.

On the season for the D-Fenders (18-16), the 6-foot-3, 30-year old guard is averaging 9.5 points a game, shooting 47.9% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.

Ingram has been with the Lakers’ NBA Development League affiliate since 2011/12, although the current campaign is his second full season with the D-Fenders.

“The organization is great,” he said. “They were there at the All-Star event, cheering me.”

Ingram said he is hoping to earn an NBA call-up before the end of the season.

“That’s why I’m here,” he said. “Hopefully there’s a team out there that can use some shooting -- [they’d] get a guy who is going to work hard for them.”

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus