2022 NBA Draft: Potential No. 1 pick Jaden Ivey from Purdue declares he's turning pro

Thu, Mar 31, 2022
NCAAB News (AP)

Purdue star Jaden Ivey announced on Thursday afternoon that he is declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft after a breakout sophomore season in which he earned All-American honors with the Boilermakers. Ivey averaged 17.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Purdue, which landed a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to March Madness Cinderella, Saint Peter's.

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- Jaden Ivey (@IveyJaden) March 31, 2022

Ivey is the No. 1 prospect on the AP Sports Top 60 Big Board and a projected top-five selection in my latest mock draft. He plays with a rare explosiveness and poise from the guard position, and his attacking mentality pressuring the rim should make him one of the more NBA-ready players in this class, especially in a pro-style system.

As a freshman last season, Ivey popped onto the scene late in the year as a role-player with scoring upside. As a sophomore this season, he validated preseason hype with an improved shot and playmaking capabilities. The next steps in his game will be improving his decision-making and fine-tuning his defense.

Ivey will be one of four contenders to go No. 1 in this summer's NBA Draft with Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Duke's Paolo Banchero and Auburn's Jabari Smith Jr. all lurking as potential top picks as well.

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