Jaden Ivey’s Controversial Livestream After Bulls Release

Recently, Jaden Ivey revealed some troubling aspects of his past during an Instagram livestream after he was let go by the Bulls on Monday due to issues deemed harmful to the team.

His release came just hours after he shared a video where he made derogatory comments and spoke about religion. In his livestream, Ivey, who was picked fifth overall by the Pistons in the 2022 NBA Draft, disclosed that he had struggled with a porn addiction.

“Before I found faith in Jesus Christ, I was all about the NBA,” Ivey, 24, said during the 34-minute stream. “I had no understanding of God or Jesus when I entered the league. I behaved recklessly, got drunk frequently, and that’s really all I knew. After each win, after every point, I felt like everything was just falling into place for me.”

He continued, saying, “The moment things changed for me—that’s when God humbled me.”

Ivey faced injuries that limited his participation to just 30 games last season and missed the start of the current season before transitioning from Detroit to Chicago. The Bulls announced his absence for the remainder of the season due to ongoing issues with his left knee.

There was a period this season where he was a healthy scratch due to a coach’s decision. At a press conference afterwards, Ivey mentioned, “I’m not the player I once was,” emphasizing his faith: “The old JI is gone. Regardless of how things are in basketball, I’m alive in Christ.”

In the same livestream, Ivey argued that it wasn’t true his behavior had negatively affected the team.

“People will try to bring me down, but that won’t stop me. I’m going to keep speaking the truth,” he asserted. “My faith has led many around me to turn against me. I didn’t quit; I was essentially pushed out.”

He went on to suggest that NBA teams might reject him based on his strong beliefs.

Ivey also commented on other notable players, mentioning Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.

“Look at Stephen Curry. I hope he finds the truth and that he and his family are saved,” he said. “The accolades they have won, it’s irrelevant on Judgment Day if their names aren’t in the Book of Life.”

The athlete and his wife, Caitlin, are also parents to three small children.