DETROIT – The 2022 NBA Draft is Thursday, and prospect Jaden Ivey says he needs to come back to Detroit and play for the Pistons.

A number of sources have reported Ivey would like to not take his abilities to Sacramento. Experiences say Ivey knowledgeable the Kings, who’ve the No. 4 decide, that he doesn’t need to play for his or her group as a result of they have already got many guards.

He says he would like to return to a spot with roots and familiarity.

Throughout a current interview, Ivey was requested if there have been any particular groups he’d be a very good match for. He stated within the interview that he want to go anyplace, but when he had to decide on, it could be Detroit, the staff with the fifth decide within the draft.

Ivey talked about his mother performed for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and talked about how he lived within the space, so he is aware of what it’s like, and it could possibly be an choice.

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It was additionally reported that Ivey stated throughout a pre-draft Zoom name that he solely labored out for 2 groups: the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons.

“I by no means actually made the choice on not speaking to Sacramento,” Ivey stated. “It simply form of occurred.”

Ivey’s want to swimsuit up within the Pistons’ purple, white, and blue (and generally the Grant Hill teal and or burgundy with the horse brand) is sort of a quagmire for basketball followers as to why somebody would purposely choose the Motor Metropolis.

However the resolution comes as a result of his mom, Niele Ivey, performed for the Shock in 2005.

Jaden’s father, Javin Edward was born in Detroit and attended Detroit Nation Day Excessive Faculty earlier than enjoying vast receiver within the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers within the 2000s.

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His late grandfather, James Hunter, performed at Grambling State underneath coach Eddie Robinson, who developed him into the tenth decide of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

Former NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz has in contrast Jaden Ivey to former NBA Rookie of the 12 months guard Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Schmitz says Ivey has a Russell Westbrook physique body with the burst of Morant.

Ivey spoke on these comparisons.

“I see lots of Ja Morant in my recreation,” he stated. “Clearly, he’s an individual I do know, and I like his recreation. I see lots of Dwyane Wade flashes, as I undoubtedly watched lots of him and Russell Westbrook. I simply attempt to present flashes of all of these gamers. I believe these are nice comparisons. You could be proficient, however having that canine in you is the largest factor.”

Ivey’s recreation and toughness scream Detroit Unhealthy Boys. As he stated, the town was and is constructed on toughness, and having that canine mentality goes a great distance — simply ask Blake Griffin each time he returns to Little Caesars Enviornment.

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The best way the state of affairs is lining up appears excellent.

Some individuals have been evaluating Ivey to Morant at nausea, however do you know through the 2019-20 season, Ivey’s mom coached Morant throughout his rookie season?

Ivey advised NBA TV how he discovered and gained a lot from his mom.

“I discovered so much simply from her being in faculty and from her being an assistant coach for a few years and simply seeing the little issues that she did,” he stated. “I watched her watching movie on gamers so much after which transitioning to the NBA; I simply noticed the work that she did with the gamers, whether or not that was passing and simply telling them some element or critiquing a transfer, I bought to see all of that. From there on, I used to be capable of perceive the sport a bit of higher. Simply being in her presence and simply being within the fitness center together with her it’s made me a greater participant as nicely.”

At Purdue, through the 2021-22 season, Ivey averaged 17.3 factors and 4.9 rebounds per recreation on 46% shooing from the sector. These numbers earned him 2022 Consensus 2nd Workforce All-American honors.

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These numbers, mixed together with his toughness and tenacity, are what the Pistons have to proceed their climb again to relevancy, a minimum of within the Jap Convention.

The fifth decide provides the Pistons lots of flexibility. The important thing constructing block was chosen final 12 months, with the choice of Cade Cunningham.

Do you just like the match and the return of the prodigal son?

If the celebs align and Ivey remains to be on the board at 5, would you just like the Pistons to draft him, choose another person, or commerce the decide?

What are your ideas?

Extra information: Pistons commerce Jerami Grant to Portland for 2025 first-round decide