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Jaden Ivey 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Jaden Ivey

(Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

Jaden Ivey
(Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

Jaden Ivey 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report

  • Height/Weight/Age: 6’4″/220 lbs/19 years old
  • Primary Position: Shooting Guard
  • Sophomore Season Stats: 17.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 46.0% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 74.4% FT, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 2.6 TOPG

Strengths: Athleticism, Shot Creation, Finishing

The first thing mentioned in any scouting report on Jaden Ivey, including this one, is his explosive athleticism. This is my third cycle of draft scouting and the Purdue guard is among the two or three most athletic prospects I’ve watched. He has insane burst and a lightning-quick first step that allows him to blow by defenders and get to the basket with ease. Ivey is an absolute nightmare to guard in transition.

Ivey turns on the jets real quick!

His athleticism boosts his ability to create shots for himself. Defenders are acutely aware of his quickness and are forced to play him in such a way that leaves them susceptible to step-back jumpers. Jaden Ivey was a much-improved shooter in his sophomore season, shooting 35.8% from three. If that aspect of his game continues to develop, he can be an offensive superstar.

Defender has to respect the first step and Ivey goes to the step-back, creating tons of separation.
https://twitter.com/JakeInThePaint/status/1488215729342136328?s=20&t=td-Tl4pbbm–Y4jRiCJEng
Ivey greatly improved his three-point shooting in his sophomore season. Another good example of his ability to create space.

Ivey is also a very crafty finisher around the rim and knows how to use his strength to finish through contact. He converted and-1s at a high rate and was exceptional at getting to the free-throw line. His hang time allows him to seemingly change directions in mid-air.

Jaden Ivey’s overall offensive package solidifies him as the top guard prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. There are certainly tweaks that can be made, as with any prospect, but he has such an impressive foundation to build on.

Weaknesses: Defensive Effort, Tunnel Vision, Pure Playmaking

Jaden Ivey is currently a negative on the defensive end. The crazy thing is that it doesn’t have to be that way at all. He has the lateral quickness and length to be a very capable defender. The primary issue is he doesn’t seem to have a ton of interest in being good on defense. When he applies himself, the results are actually quite good.

A little too much trailing, but good effort here to fight through the screen and block the shot.

The overall defense definitely isn’t where I would like it to be, but he isn’t a lost cause and has the raw tools to make it happen. It is mostly a question of effort and adjusting his technique in a few areas.

One of the big weaknesses in Jaden Ivey’s game is his tendency to go into possessions having already decided he’s getting his shot instead of taking what the defense gives him. Sometimes that can work, but a lot of the time it results in turnovers or poor decisions. He also struggles to go to his non-dominant side, which is something NBA-level defenders will certainly look to exploit.

Furthermore, Ivey simply doesn’t have the pure playmaking ability to be the lead guard on a team. He is fantastic at creating for himself, but so far his ability to create for others has just been flashes. Ivey is good enough to be a primary ball-handler for some rotations, but he would be best utilized as a two-guard. Maybe this isn’t so much a weakness; it’s more a clarification of what his role should be to maximize his skillset.

Best NBA Fit: Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers

Given that he would best be used as a two-guard alongside a true facilitator, Jaden Ivey would be a great fit for the Detroit Pistons or Indiana Pacers. Playing alongside Cade Cunningham or Tyrese Haliburton would definitely get the most out of him, and both teams are in range to pick him.

NBA Comparison: Donovan Mitchell

Plenty of people will look at Jaden Ivey’s frame and high-level athleticism and immediately compare him to Ja Morant. I think the Ivey-Morant comps are lazy to be quite honest with you. Ja Morant was a high-level playmaker, averaging 10 assists per game in his sophomore season at Murray State. Ivey is a capable playmaker but does not approach the elite level of Ja Morant. He’s more in the mold of a hyper-athletic scoring guard like Donovan Mitchell. Like Mitchell, Ivey is able to be a ball-handler on the floor, but he is much more suited for off-ball duties because of limitations in his ability to create for others.

Draft Projection: Top-5 Pick

Jaden Ivey is the top guard prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. He is all but assured to be a top-five selection on June 23. There was some buzz for a little bit that he could sneak into the top three, but that talk has since cooled off.

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