On March 30, former Detroit Pistons Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey was released from the Bulls roster amid a series of social media livestreams, in which Ivey spoke out against the NBA celebrating LGBTQ+ pride and ranted about several religious topics. This turn of events has flipped the entire NBA community on its head and has, more importantly, created a conversation that is desperately needed.
This reaction by the NBA doesn’t portray inclusion or good character – it portrays inconsistency and malpractice.
Ivey attended Purdue University for his first and only year of college basketball in 2021, where he averaged 15 points, four rebounds and four assists on his route to earning All American and All BIG 10 honors.
This success was enough to propel the young guard to the top of scouts draft boards. In the 2022 NBA Draft, Ivey was selected fifth overall by the Detroit Pistons. The future was bright for the rising star.
Pistons fans had a lot to be excited about following Ivey’s performance during his rookie and sophomore season. His athleticism, ability to distribute the ball to his teammates and to get downhill with efficiency made him an extremely valuable asset for Detroit and their long-term future.
On Jan. 1, 2025, disaster struck as Ivey experienced a broken fibula in the Pistons game against the Orlando Magic. Fans from across the NBA showed compassion for the young guard. An injury that severe was expected to not only derail Ivey’s progression, but prevent it. However, even at his lowest point, Ivey took to social media consistently posting inspirational videos relating to Christianity with the intention of uplifting his fans.
Religion has always been a large aspect of Ivey’s family and his own life. They are a very passionate Christian family, with his parents and grandparents also having history in professional sports.
In fact, Niele Ivey, current Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Coach, former WNBA player and Jaden Ivey’s mother, received backlash over speculated shared beliefs with an openly homophobic athlete, Hannah Hidalgo. This impacted Niele’s relationship with former Notre Dame Star Women’s Basketball Player Olivia Miles, and led to Miles’ transfer to Texas Central University.
Whether these rumors are accurate or not, the sexuality, race or identity of an athlete should not intervene with their treatment in their sport. Inappropriate behavior that damages the image of a team or league in its entirety should never be allowed without repercussions.
It really should be that simple, but unfortunately, it isn’t.
In September of 2023, the former Houston Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. was charged with two counts of assault and strangulation stemming from a domestic violence dispute with his, then, romantic partner. Both sides met at a plea deal, in which Porter pleaded guilty to these charges and enrolled in a domestic violence intervention program.
In 2024, not even a full year after this case had begun, the Los Angeles Clippers signed Porter to a one year contract.
Sadly, this is not the only example of the league neglecting inappropriate or even illegal behavior. On July 19, 2022, Miles Bridges, a Charlotte Hornets Forward, was officially charged with one felony count of harming a parent and two counts of child abuse. With charges this extreme and a probation length up to three years, his career in the NBA would be over.
However, since then, not only has Bridges returned to the Hornets, he has signed large extensions, his current contract being worth up to $75 million. I am now left with only one question: Why?
Why do athletes federally convicted of serious felonies still have a place in the NBA?
Jaden Ivey hurt the league’s image. Homophobia and public ridicule based on a person’s beliefs should not be permitted. However, that criteria must remain consistent. If one player is met with certain consequences for hurting the league’s public image, those consequences should be universal for other scenarios.
With that being said, I believe I speak for the entirety of the NBA community when I say that I hope Jaden Ivey receives the support he needs. Mental health should always be a priority.