2022 NBA Draft: Who are the 10 best prospects in this draft class?
4. Jaden Ivey – Purdue Boilermakers
6-4 200 lbs. 6-9 WS
36 GP 17.3 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.5 apg 46 FG% 35.8 3P% 74.4 FT%
Shades of: Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown
In a pace and space league, I am really high on Ivey. Confident enough in him being one of the best five players from this draft class. He reminds me of the roadrunner from Looney Tunes the way he uses his blistering pace to go from one end to another. Outrunning the opposition to signify it with an above the rim explosion. Athleticism may be the salivating draw when assessing Ivey.
Before the season Ivey was already tasked with a big move on the college scene. His freshman season he offered glimpses of the offensive firepower that we eventually saw on full display leading Purdue to a 29-8 record. Ivey was the clear standout on a shallow perimeter team. Leading the team in scoring and assists, the majority of the big games needed his footprint to keep Purdue in contention.
Going back to the summer before the 2021-22 season, Ivey averaged 12.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.1 apg in a gold medal-winning effort during the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. At first, the comps started to roll in… Victor Oladipo, Josh Richardson. No disrespect to them but Ivey quickly exceeded those expectations. Due to his hyperactive style of play, the comps then became Ja Morant (are we sure it wasn’t the hair that was the root of the comps) which word around the basketball circles is this dude [Ivey] has a chance to be special.
The way Ivey turns the corner is absurd. His quick-twitch abilities are almost cat-like, reacting and adapting to what the defense gives him. A couple of opponents have been on the wrong end of a slam that was set up by the shift of angles. He attacks these angles by being elusive. The ability to stop and go on a dime leaves his defender’s feet stuck in cement. Although a ferocious downhill attacker, Ivey is patient during these opportunities. Picking out the best opportunity to attack and when to look for his teammates. Once there is a grand opening you have nothing to do but look at a blur bursting to the rim.
Out of the entire college basketball world, Ivey was top five having an assist percentage over 19% and a free throw rate over 46%. Focusing first on his playmaking/passing capabilities it can be said that he has the potential to be a lead guard in certain situations. Projected as a 2-guard, Ivey has the chops to average a decent amount of assists. Due to him being a force within the arc defense hone in on him which can create kick-out opportunities. Ivey can take notes from the Western Conference Playoffs between Golden State and Dallas. The ability to penetrate the defense and kick to open shooters is a skill in itself. Ivey is on his way to mastering it. I’m especially fond of his ability to throw one-handed passes with either hand.
More comfortability on the ball over the course of the 21-22 season led to Ivey becoming better in creating his own shot. According to Synergy, Ivey graded out as “very good” in Isolation opportunities (0.982 PPP). He converted at a 53% clip from inside the arc. Right now he’s more of a ⅔ level scorer. Weird to say this but hopefully the midrange/in-between game can come around with that being a clear area of improvement (11/47 entire college career from midrange). Ivey became better than expected with shooting the 3-ball, that being the real swing skill coming into his sophomore season.
His base shooting from 3 is the only thing eerily similar to Morant. It’s almost like a set shot in a way. If you are shooting 35.8% then I guess it really doesn’t matter how, just as long as it goes in. Offensively, it started to come together for Ivey over the course of the season. Incorporating stepbacks and a series of combo moves highlights the ability to be a wizard with the rock. During the Sweet 16 run it looked like Ivey was the only one competent enough on Purdue to handle and score the rock. An unprecedented load but he managed.
Ivey is special in the way he controls his bodily movement while moving so fast. An exceptional athlete that can be above average on the defensive end. When he’s locked in the lateral quickness is there, a strong upright base to absorb contact, the engagement that may end in a highlight level block all point to him being safe to trust on both ends.
Ivey fits in with the modern NBA in every way imaginable. Playing for Purdue where the lane was clogged by bigs who couldn’t shoot, Ivey may find a massive amount of success in the open court. At one point in the season, there could be a healthy discussion he could end up being the top pick. That boat may have sailed but I would not hesitate to take Ivey top four.