ESPN analyst Jay Bilas on Purdue wing Jaden Ivey: 'He's a star-caliber talent'
Asked a general question about the strength of the 2022 NBA Draft on a Zoom call, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas mentioned four players he saw as potential franchise cornerstones. Three are modern do-it-all big men. The fourth was a wing.
“Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero,” Bilas said, “even Jaden Ivey.”
Bilas had plenty of praise for the former Purdue shooting guard Tuesday, who will almost certainly be a lottery pick in Thursday’s draft. Ivey averaged 17.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Boilermakers in 2021-22.
“He’s so dynamic and explosive,” Bilas said. “He’s kind of a combination of the speed and explosiveness of Ja Morant and the size and length of Dwyane Wade. He’s not as powerful as Wade was, at least yet, coming out of Marquette back in 2003, but what an explosive athlete. Incredibly fast in the open floor. He can shoot it. He’s a shot creator. His defense will improve or should improve because he’s not been the most focused defender, but there’s not a whole lot to complain about on the offensive end with Jaden Ivey. He’s a star-caliber talent.”
More NBA Draft:
Preemptive Woj bomb? Pacers may trade Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner during 2022 NBA Draft
Insider: Jaden Ivey, Kings don't seem interested in each other; Pacers should trade up for him
Complicating the matter of Ivey’s draft stock is the fact that he and the Sacramento Kings, owners of the No. 4 pick, don’t appear to be interested in one another. Ivey told reporters Monday he hadn’t been in contact with the Kings.
“If I were drafting at 4 in this draft, I’d want a lot, and I can imagine Sacramento’s gonna feel the same way with that fourth pick because Jaden Ivey’s a valuable asset,” Bilas said. “He’s a valuable asset whether you have him on the team, or a valuable asset whether you want to trade him later. He’s super talented.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jaden Ivey: Jay Bilas considers Purdue wing a 'star-caliber talent'
