Who is Jaden Ivey? Evaluating his career trajectory with Detroit Pistons so far in the NBA
The Detroit Pistons selected Jaden Ivey fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Ivey was not heavily recruited out of high school and spent two years at Purdue University. After an up-and-down freshman season, he was one of college basketball's break out stars in 2021-2022.
As a freshman, Ivey started 12 of his 23 games played. He finished the season averaging 11.1 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, and 0.7 blocks per game. Additionally, he shot a lackluster 39.9% from the field, 25.8% from three-point range, and 72.6% from the free-throw line.
Ivey, however, emerged as a top prospect and NBA draft lottery lock as a sophomore. Starting 34 of his 36 games played, Ivey's numbers improved across the board. He averaged 17.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, and 0.6 blocks per game. His shooting splits increased to 46.0% from the field, 35.8% from three-point range, and 74.4% from the free-throw line. His performance earned him a consensus All-American Second Team selection.
Fourteen games into his professional career, Jaden Ivey has looked as advertised. The Detroit Pistons guard has averaged 16.1 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 0.4 blocks per game. He is shooting 44.0% from the field, 33.9% from three-point range, and 73.8% from the free-throw line. While the Pistons would surely like to see some improvement in Ivey's jump shot, he has otherwise exceeded expectations.
Check out Jaden Ivey's college highlights below:
Can Jaden Ivey help bring the Detroit Pistons back to relevancy?
Jaden Ivey was the third consecutive top-seven pick made by the Detroit Pistons. Furthermore, Detroit, once among the NBA's premier franchises, has not made it out of the first round of the postseason since 2007-2008. They are currently 3-12, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and tied for the worst record in the NBA.
With Ivey and 2021 first overall pick Cade Cunningham, the Pistons appear to have their future backcourt in place. Both players have shown enough that Detroit should be comfortable with their backcourt going forward.
The Pistons, however, sorely need a big man, and if they continue to underperform, they may just luck out by once again selecting at the top of the draft. The top prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft is Victor Wembanyama, who is among the most hyped draft prospects of all-time. Pairing Wembanyama with Ivey and Cunningham would give Detroit a core that could become a lethal trio as they all enter their prime.
Watch highlights from Jaden Ivey's career-high game below: