Ingram’s decision to commit to Florida honors his family’s legacy while also allowing him to forge his own path in Gators history. His father, Cornelius Ingram, was a star tight end at Florida, winning two national championships and briefly playing basketball before focusing on football. Now, CJ is ready to make his own impact on the basketball court.
Originally excelling in both basketball and football, CJ recently chose to focus solely on basketball, a decision influenced by significant interest from top programs, Florida’s dedicated recruitment, and the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps.
During his junior year at Hawthorne High, CJ surpassed 1,000 career points and posted impressive averages of 24 points, 8.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 steals per game. His athleticism, versatility, and physicality have made him one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the nation.
![Hawthorne High School’s CJ Ingram is this year’s Gainesville Sun Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Ingram, 16 and a junior, plays point guard for the Hornets. He re-created this photo similar when his father was chosen as basketball player of the year by the Gainesville Sun years an ago. Ingram scored close to 500 points this year for the Hornets. He posed for portraits at the school Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2024](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6974,h_3922,x_0,y_199/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01j56m2mdr5jnrt7gydw.jpg)
Florida’s head coach Todd Golden, along with assistant coach and former Gator basketball legend Taurean Green, played crucial roles in securing Ingram’s commitment. Reflecting on his decision, Ingram said, “The atmosphere is just different with the fans. My visit felt almost perfect, and I’m doing it at home in front of friends and family.”
By focusing exclusively on basketball, Ingram is expected to unlock even more of his potential. The Gators are gaining a dynamic player who can defend multiple positions, score, facilitate, and bring a physical presence to the team.
Alongside Alex Lloyd, a 6’3″ guard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s 2025 class is now ranked in the top ten by 247Sports.
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