Jaden Ivey Talks All-Time NBA Starting 5, Playing Like Ja Morant, More in B/R AMA
Jun 18, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 25: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers warms up before the the Sweet 16 round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game against the St. Peter's Peacocks held at Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Jaden Ivey ascended to the top of the basketball world during his two-season stint at Purdue.
The 20-year-old is projected to be an early lottery selection in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has the Sacramento Kings using the No. 4 pick on him.
A 4-star prospect coming out of La Lumiere High School in Indiana, Ivey was an All-Big Ten First Team and All-American Second Team selection as a sophomore in 2021-22.
Leading up to the draft, Ivey sat down with B/R for an AMA session to discuss a variety of topics, including which current player he models his game after, his all-time starting five and more.
The following is the transcript from the AMA session.
@BleacherReport Jaden so I understand you're here on behalf of Bose. Can you tell us more about your partnership with them and the importance of music to you?
I'm very excited for the opportunity to be with Team Bose. I think the biggest thing is I love music. Music gets me going. Music helps start my day. I like to listen to music a lot so to partner with them is a great thing for me.
@Haasdaboss Which NBA player do you think you model your game after?
Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. Just the athleticism and speed that they play with, I kind of possess some of those skills on the court
@Kiran_Gamecock What is your all time starting five?
Michael Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, Kareem, Larry Bird
@Moko1 Is there a specific guy you're really looking forward to playing?
After watching the Finals, Steph Curry is definitely one of those guys I want to compete against. Obviously, top-5 PG of All-Time, Top-10 players of all-time
LeBron, having watched him all my life, as a young kid. He's given a lot of young kid(s) hope. LeBron is one of the guys I look up to. Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard as well.
@Not_DerwinJames Who was someone who gave you absolute nightmares trying to guard them during your time in CBB?
Johnny Davis. The performance he had against us at home was very tough
@DejounteMustard The most underrated part of your game is ____
My passing. I think it's a skill that I just started to really just show people I can do: I can pass the ball and I want to give my teammates the ball. I think that's a very underrated part of my game.
@OfficiallyPolo If you could dunk on one current or all-time player, who would it be?
I would say LeBron.
@Just_in_Time What does your playlist look like before games and do you have a go-to hype song you always need to listen to?
It's up to the artist that I like. I listen to a certain artists everyday, to help me through my day, or help me get in a great mode for the basketball game.
@Emand1988 Top 5 rappers?
NBA YoungBoy, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, DMX, Lil Uzi Vert
@Mayer0816 Who was your inspiration to get into basketball? Did you guys ever hoop together whether it was pickup games or one on one?
My mother. Just watching her, all the success she's had. I've seen her success at a young age, it made me hungry. I want to have success of my own. She was one of the smartest. She wasn't the most athletic, but she was good enough to teach me things on the court, certain moves I can do to help me score the basketball. It's why she's a coach. She understands the game and is super smart.
@GeorgiaGoat What tips would you have for young ballers who aspire to be great?
The biggest thing is it's not going to be easy. Whether it's basketball or baseball or football, you're going to have obstacles to overcome and it's up to you to have the mindset to overcome them and the biggest thing is you got to work hard to accomplish your dreams.
@KingHedera As an Indiana resident, what is your favorite local restaurant chain?
I'm a big Soho guy. It's hibachi in South Bend. Growing up, I would go there all the time. I would say Pancake House is another one. I'm a big breakfast guy. Having a good breakfast is important to me and Pancake House is one of those restaurants I always went to.
@BayLegend I'm an incoming freshman. What's something to look forward to at Purdue?
Biggest thing is the people at Purdue. Everyone had a genuine heart, really cares for you and wanted you to succeed at whatever you're doing on campus.
@Blurshnersh Who is your favorite cartoon character?
I was a big Spongebob kid growing up
@Saddock21 Zebra cakes or cosmic brownies?
Definitely a Zebra Cake guy
@Coltssuperfan20 Would you be happy to get drafted by the Pacers?
I'm just really grateful. Whatever opportunity comes my way I'll be extremely grateful. If that opportunity comes my way, I would be definitely very happy coming from my upbringing. Being an Indiana kid, being in Indiana my whole life, so that would be amazing but whatever team drafts me I'll be ready and happy for the opportunity.
NBA Draft 2022 Rumors: Jaden Ivey Doesn't View Kings as 'Preferred Destination'
Jun 16, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a play during the first half against the Texas Longhorns in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum on March 20, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Purdue point guard Jaden Ivey could very well be the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. However, he doesn't appear keen on playing for the franchise that currently owns the fourth overall selection.
The Sacramento Kings "aren't Ivey's preferred destination," according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. However, the Kings could still pick Ivey even if he withholds medical information and declines workouts with them because they haven't been afraid to do so in the past, per Givony.
Givony adds that "many around the NBA feel that this pick is available for a team looking to swap picks and move up the draft for Ivey." It wouldn't make much sense for the Kings to select Ivey, as they have recent lottery picks De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell as their starting guards.
With that said, NBA insider Quinton Mayo (h/t Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee) reported that the Washington Wizards are interested in acquiring the fourth overall pick to select Ivey.
The Wizards could use a point guard to pair with Bradley Beal, so their interest in Ivey comes as no surprise. However, the asking price for the fourth overall selection could be hefty, so there's no guarantee that Sacramento trades the pick.
In an interview with The Spun's Matt Hladik, Ivey said he "would love to go anywhere," but that playing for the Detroit Pistons or Indiana Pacers would be special because his mother, Niele Ivey, played for the WNBA's Detroit Shock and Indiana Fever during her playing career.
The Pistons own the No. 5 pick and the Pacers own the sixth overall selection. However, Detroit already has Cade Cunningham and Indiana has Malcolm Brogdon, so it's unclear how interested they would be in Ivey.
With that said, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer recently reported that the Pacers were testing the market for Brogdon. That means they might be open to taking Ivey at No. 6 and pairing him with combo guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Ivey is widely believed to be the best point guard available in the 2022 draft class. During his sophomore season at Purdue, he averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 46.- percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from deep in 36 games.
Video: No. 1 Purdue Upset by Rutgers on Ron Harper Jr.'s Half-Court Buzzer-Beater
Dec 10, 2021
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 09: Ron Harper Jr. #24 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights lies on the court after sinking a three-point shot as teammates Paul Mulcahy #4, Mawot Mag #3 and Dean Reiber #21celebrate during the first half of a game at Jersey Mike's Arena on December 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Ron Harper Jr. sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to propel the unranked Rutgers men's basketball team to a 70-68 home win over No. 1 Purdue on Thursday.
Purdue retook the lead after a Trevion Williams layup with four seconds left, but Harper capped his 30-point, 10-rebound night with the game-winning three for one of college basketball's biggest upsets this season.
The Boilermakers led for much of the second half and took a 57-47 lead with 8:37 remaining after a Sasha Stefanovic three-pointer, but Harper and the Scarlet Knights chipped away at the edge before earning the win over their Big Ten opponent.
Williams had 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Boilermakers, who made just 7-of-26 three-pointers.
Caleb McConnell complemented Harper's effort with 12 points, five assists and five rebounds for Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights had lost four of five games leading into the Purdue matchup, including an 86-51 defeat to Illinois on Friday. However, they bounced back in a big way to move to 5-4 on the year (1-1 Big Ten).
Purdue, which is now the third No. 1 team to fall after Gonzaga and Duke each fell from the top posts earlier this year, dropped to 8-1 (1-1 Big Ten).
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 06: Head coach Sharon Versyp of the Purdue Boilermakers watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins during the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 6, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Purdue University's Office of Institutional Equity is investigating women's basketball coach Sharon Versyp amid allegations that she fostered a "toxic and hostile environment" with her players and bullied one of her assistant coaches, per Mike Carmin of the Lafayette Journal & Courier.
The director of women's basketball operations Terry Kix is also named in an internal document for allegedly "cussing out players, and hitting a player's arm and knocking a cell phone out of her hand." The document states that Versyp was "fully aware of Ms. Kix's conduct" but did not put a stop to it.
Among the allegations made against Versyp are that she locked poor-performing players out of the locker room after a game, banned players from talking during a plane trip and regularly called her players "fat." She reportedly singled out one player in front of the team during a film session last year, telling her she was a "(expletive) pathetic leader. Your teammates don't look up to you."
In Feb. 2020, Versyp accused one player of having "attacked [Versyp] and Ms. Kix in an interview about the game" and made life "miserable" for her at the next practice and "made an example" of her in front of the team.
She also allegedly bullied the coaching staff and at one point told players not to speak with a particular assistant. She also reportedly "unreasonably interfered with the coach's employment."
The accusations run from the 2018-19 season through last year. Five players entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
Versyp, 55, is entering her 16th and final season with the Boilermakers this year, with former Purdue guard Katie Gearlds set to replace her. Her 301 victories are the most in program history.
Purdue Basketball Player Brandon Newman's Father Ronald Dies at 59 from COVID-19
Apr 20, 2020
COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 01: The Purdue Boilermakers logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on December 1, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. The Boilermakers won 80-75. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Ronald Newman, who was a Chicago police officer and the father of Purdue basketball player Brandon Newman, died Friday.
Adam Rittenberg of ESPN reported the news, noting Newman was hospitalized in March and died following compilations from COVID-19.
"The Purdue athletic department and men's basketball program is deeply saddened by the death of Ronald Newman," Purdue said in a statement. "We send our condolences to the Newman family, and have reached out to Brandon and his family during their time of need."
Brandon Newman was a 3-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and part of Purdue's 2019 recruiting class.
He redshirted during the 2019-20 campaign.
Purdue's Matt Haarms Cuts Transfer List to Kentucky, Arizona, Gonzaga, More
Apr 11, 2020
Purdue center Matt Haarms (32) celebrates during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Iowa in West Lafayette, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Purdue defeated Iowa 104-68. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Former Purdue forward Matt Haarms has cut his transfer list down to 10 teams, headlined by Kentucky, Arizona and Gonzaga.
Haarms provided his full list of schools to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein:
Purdue grad transfer Matt Haarms tells me he has cut his list to the following programs:
Arizona Arkansas Boston College BYU Gonzaga Kentucky Memphis Minnesota Texas Tech UNCG
After playing the last three seasons at Purdue, Haarmsenteredthe transfer portal April 6. The Netherlands native will be eligible to play in 2020-21 as a graduate transfer.
Speaking toEvan Danielsof 247Sports, Haarms said he wants to take some time to "think about how I'm going to handle this going forward," but he's not "going to drag it out though."
Daniels' colleague Chris Fisherreported Haarms is regarded as one of the best graduate transfer prospects in this year's class.
"He's a pick and roll big man, good at catching on the move and finishing," 247Sports' national recruiting analyst Brian Snow told Fisher. "He's an okay rebounder. He's an okay post defender because he's not strong physically. He's a shot-blocker, he can move his feet, he's skilled, he can score with his back to the basket and he can score facing the rim."
Haarms was a valuable role player for the Boilermakers since arriving on campus in 2017-18. He averaged 8.6 points and tied for second on the team with 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior.
On the defensive end, Haarms is a terrific stopper in the paint with a career average of 2.1 blocks in 102 games.
Purdue's Matt Haarms Enters Transfer Portal, over 25 Schools Express Interest
Apr 6, 2020
Purdue center Matt Haarms (32) celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa in West Lafayette, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Purdue defeated Iowa 104-68. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue announced earlier Monday that Matt Haarms is entering the transfer portal, and the7'3" center disclosed to ESPN's Jeff Borzello that 25 schools have already reached out to him:
Purdue transfer Matt Haarms gave ESPN a list of more than 25 schools to reach out. pic.twitter.com/FbCXnJz8eH
"Just believe I needed a change of scenery to take my game to the next level," Haarms told Borzello, "don't have anything but positive things to say about Purdue, but I just felt like it was time to move on."
According to Stadium's Jeff Goodman, "Purdue was blindsided" by Haarms' desire to transfer.
The center will be a graduate transfer, per Borzello, granting him immediate eligibility next season.
"It's too early right now," Haarms told 247Sports' Evan Daniels, referencing where he might finish his collegiate career. "I still have people calling who haven't texted me so I don't even have the full picture just yet."
The Amsterdam, Netherlands, native redshirted the 2016-17 season before playing three years for the Boilermakers.
Last season, Haarms averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game across 29 appearances (15 starts) for 16-15 Purdue. His best campaign in West Lafayette, Indiana, came in 2018-19 with a career-high 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game over 36 contests (23 starts).
Highlights: Watch Carsen Edwards Drop 42 Points, 10 3s on Virginia in Elite 8
Mar 30, 2019
BR Video
Carsen Edwards delivered a performance that will be remembered for years, albeit in an 80-75 overtime loss to the Virginia Cavaliers in the Elite Eight of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The Purdue Boilermakers star had a game-high 42 points on Saturday, with Ryan Cline and Nojel Eastern (seven points) finishing as Purdue's second-highest scorers.
Three-point shooting fueled Edwards' offensive explosion, as he shot 10-of-19 from beyond the arc.
Unfortunately for Edwards and Purdue, his turnover in the final seconds of overtime will be one of the lasting images of the game. Running up the court off an inbounds pass, he fired a pass off the hand of Cline and out of bounds.
Video: Ryan Cline Drops 27 Points, 7 3s in Epic Shooting Display vs. Tennessee
Mar 28, 2019
BR Video
Ryan Cline showed off his shooting prowess during Purdue's Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee.
The senior guard went 7-of-10from three-point range to finish with 27points before fouling out in overtime.
Cline and teammate Carsen Edwards seem to be playing their own game of one-upmanship in the NCAA tournament.
Edwards made nine of his 16 attempts behind the arc against Villanova in the round of 32.
The Boilermakers needed every one of Cline's buckets to keep pace with Tennessee's second-half comeback that forced the game into overtime.
