Jaden Ivey Scouting Report: West Lafayette to The League

Jaden Ivey has become one of the premier guards in the upcoming draft. In his second season at Purdue, Ivey has taken a NBA level leap betting on himself last year to return to the program. The Boilermakers, with Ivey as their leading man, now have a chance to win deep into March. 

Bio and Measurables:

Jaden Ivey is currently ranked as the #1 guard in the 2022 NBA Draft class. Click Here to see where he slots in overall.

Strengths: Jaden Ivey has taken the Purdue Boilermakers and put them in the final four conversation. An offensive maestro that has all the physical attributes of a NBA level guard, Ivey can beat you in many different ways. Standing at 6-4, he has good size for his position opening up his game on both ends of the floor and as a rebounder. Defensively, he has a solid wingspan which can frustrate ball handlers and force them into making bad decisions. His speed and lateral quickness allows him to stay in front of his defender on or off the ball with the ability to guard one through three. At the next level, switchability and length is going to help Ivey stay on the floor to improve the rest of his game. As a guard, especially a rookie guard, nobody wants to be seen as a victim in the pick and roll. With his wingspan, athletic ability, frame and size Ivey should not only be a net neutral defender in these situations but could develop into a well rounded two way guard. Offensivley Ivey combines his physical gifts with his budding three level game. An excellent finisher by trade, he can finish with both hands – through traffic or contact – and play above or below the rim. Both an acrobat and a posturizer Ivey almost seems to float when in the paint. His change of speed and direction with the ball in his hand will immediately translate to the league and most defenders at his position won’t be able to match his combination of size, speed and explosiveness. In both the half court and in transition he has shown even when defenses collapse it is hard to stop him from penetrating with the basketball when he is coming downhill. For as frustrating Ivey is when defending the pick and roll he is equally as terrifying initiating it. His ability to knock down the long range shot at 38.4% keeps defenses honest and opens up the stronger portions of his game. During the season he has continued to show he can make the right reads in traffic, find the open man, and distribute the basketball consistently. He still has work to do as a “floor general” the development potential is there and it is something every team could use in their back court, even if it isn’t from their primary ball handler. Off the ball he has benefitted from catch and shoot attempts with 65.4% of his made threes coming from an assist. In a NBA offense that will provide additional spacing, Ivey should thrive at the offensive end on or off the ball. 

Areas of Improvement: Ivey is the best guard prospect in the draft but can be even better at the NBA level. Offensivley, he is a good free throw shooter but isn’t great which could be based on his shooting form. A slow “line drive” like free throw has given him inconsistent results at the line. This shot form, while fluid, could be part of the reason he can’t seem to find a consistent shot from outside the paint that he creates for himself. With all the speed and athleticism a player like Ivey possesses, he should be using his start and stop ability to create for himself. While it is encouraging that he shoots a higher percent on catch and shoot attempts, unlocking the ability to create for himself at a consistent rate – from all three levels – could be as simple as tweaking his shooting form to allow more arc. By adjusting his form he could also find consistent success at the line. The inclusion of a consistent, created, jumpshot could also help improve other areas of his game. Playing out of control at times, dribbling into the paint with tunnel vision and a sometimes questionable shot selection can all be improved upon with the ability to create for himself. As a young player Ivey relies on what he does best to elevate his team, which is getting to the rim by using his speed. This, without an on-ball jumper, is the reason he can get tunnel vision, play out of control and end up turning the ball over or taking a bad shot. It is his default but could be erased as he improves. This is the same idea in the pick and roll. His size and speed allows him to be a solid pick and roll guard but adding the ability to use a floater or a “giant killing” shot would separate him even further from the 2022 draft class. The mid-range has reemerged over the last five years, becoming a place where guards can separate themselves from the pack. While it isn’t a make or break shot, Ivey is only shooting 31% on two point attempts in that mid-range area which will give defenders the opportunity to go under screens and commit to stopping him at the rim. All of this goes back to tweaking the mechanics and becoming a more consistent shot creator for himself. He can also become a better shot creator and distributor for his teammates. Making the right read is something Ivey has shown he can do but getting out of the “tunnel vision” habit will allow him to become an even better distributor. Ivey draws so much attention to himself when he gets into the paint. Recognizing that and capitalizing on a recovering defense will be one of the ways he can take his game to the next level. Defensively, he is consistent but could work on his decision making when deciding to get into passing lanes. Sometimes he can gamble on too many balls and allow the offensive player to get behind him. While his speed may allow him to recover at the college level it will put his NBA team on their heels. This is something that shouldn’t be a concern and with the proper coaching Ivey should learn quickly when to try to disrupt the pass. If he can’t it could end with him in foul trouble or on the bench. 

External Factors: Born into a family of athletes, his father was a receiver in the NFL and his mother played in the WNBA for five seasons. Currently the head basketball coach of the University of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball program, Ivey has had basketball in his life since he was born. 

Medical History: Ivey has no significant injury history, in January he aggravated his hip flexor in practice but was able to play through it. Medical concerns should not impact his draft stock this year, barring a significant change. 

Summary: The best guard prospect in the draft, Ivey has all the attributes to become an elite NBA guard. His size, speed and high motor allow him to be an active participant on both ends of the floor. His inability to be stopped when coming down hill is going to end up frustrating defenders in the half court and in transition. A “take foul” nightmare when he has the ball don’t blink because he will grab a rebound and push the pace himself. While he does have room for improvement his shot is more of a small question mark than a caution sign. Realistically if Ivey was the player he is today in two years he would still be a solid guard option however, if he is able to tweak and add to his offensive tool box he could be exponentially better. With all the makings to be the next two-way guard he should frustrate the organizations that can’t trade up for his talent. 

MIP Projection: Lottery Pick (5-11)