The Pistons select Jaden Ivey. This young prospect has shown to be an electric athlete thanks to his rare burst with the ball.
Prospect Overview
Electric athlete who made strides as a shooter and passer as a sophomore to complement the playmaking potential he possesses thanks to his rare burst with the ball.
About Jaden Ivey
Jaden Ivey is an electric 6-foot-4 guard whose improvement as a jump shooter in his second season at Purdue made him one of the most dynamic guards in college basketball. The son of former WNBA player and current Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey and former NFL receiver Javin Hunter, Ivey has a strong athletic pedigree, but he was considered a fringe top-100 prospect in the class of 2020 following his senior season at La Lumiere School (IN). He exceeded expectations as a freshman in the Big Ten, averaging 11.1 points per game while finishing the year far better than he started it.
Carrying that momentum into a standout showing alongside Chet Holmgren and Kennedy Chandler averaging 12.3 points per game for the USA team that won the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, Ivey set a high bar heading into his sophomore season. Emerging as one of the most dynamic players in the country, Ivey averaged 17.3 points and 3.1 assists per game in his second season under head coach Matt Painter to earn Consensus Second-Team All-American honors.
• Listed at 6-foot-4 with a 200-pound frame that has come a long way in recent years to go along with a 6-foot-9.5 wingspan, Ivey has prototypical dimensions for shooting guard and ranks among the most explosive prospects in recent memory. Possessing an electric first step, an extra gear with the ball, and impressive leaping ability with a head of steam, Ivey’s athletic gifts give him considerable upside as his game continues to evolve.
• Serving as an X-factor on the offensive end for a Purdue team that spent the entire season in the top 10 of the AP poll, Ivey scored in bunches on his best nights playing on the ball more frequently than he did as a freshman. Dynamic with the ball in the open court, capable of getting downhill without a pick, and able to keep defenders more honest with his jumper than he could in the past, Ivey provided no shortage of highlight reel plays this season but was substantially more efficient than he was as a freshman. While he was virtually unguardable when he had everything going at the collegiate level, his consistency left something to be desired as his ball handling ability and decision-making are still catching up with his electric speed, he was more effective as a passer sometimes than others, and he remained streaky from beyond the arc. As much as Ivey improved as a sophomore, he still has clear room to continue to grow as his speed gives him considerable potential as a shot creator.
• Ivey has the tools to be a playmaker on the defensive end but was more aggressive on the ball and steady off of it some possessions than others in his final collegiate season.
Advanced Stats
• Playing a unique role for a Purdue team that looked to control tempo and play inside out, Ivey spent time operating out of the pick and roll, running off screens executing the Boilermakers’ motion sets, and freelancing going coast-to-coast in transition. He shot the ball at an extremely high level off the catch over the first half of the season bolstering his efficiency and making it even easier for him to use his speed and explosiveness attacking the rim. Still finding ways to score even as his consistency from the perimeter tapered off late in the year, the Indiana native’s talent was glaring for long stretches.
• Utilizing his speed to put pressure on the rim both in the half court and in transition, nearly half of Ivey’s attempts came around the basket last season. Averaging 1.38 points per finishing opportunity [88th percentile], his ability to explode to the rim and finish or draw contact shined when he was running past defenders in transition, attacking a gap and elevating to dunk over multiple defenders in the half court, or just finding ways to create contact.
• Complementing his speed with improved consistency on the perimeter, Ivey scored 0.93 points per jump shot in the half court [58th percentile] after averaging just 0.82 points per attempt as a freshman. Showing improved range and consistency spotting up and shooting off screens, Ivey ran especially hot early in the year and made several key shots for the Boilermakers from the perimeter over the course of the season.
• For all the things Ivey did well as a sophomore, he still has considerable room to continue to improve. His jump shot is his biggest swing factor at this point, but his ability to play with pace to manipulate defenders, become a more consistent passer, and pick and choose his spots when to be aggressive could raise his game to another level and will likely dictate what kind of role he grows into at the next level.
Defensive Analysis
• Proving to be a very good on-ball defender when he wanted to be last season, Ivey has the length and quickness to more than hold his own guarding on the perimeter but was more intent on impacting the game on that end some possessions than others.
• Ivey’s off-ball defense remains more of a work in progress. He had some impressive moments getting in the passing lanes, but Purdue played a relatively conservative style that often proved to be a test of his ability to stay solid on the weak side.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
