One of the NBA's rising stars hit a buzzer-beating game-winning hit last week, but he told reporters afterward that his true identity is in Christ, not basketball. Detroit guard Jaden Ivey helped lead the Pistons to playoff contention by scoring a career-high 18.4 points per game, second on the team and in the top 50 in the league. Thanksgiving week, he sank a driving baseline jumper as time expired to give Detroit a 102-100 win over Toronto.
“Before I actually did the play, I was just talking to Jesus,” he told reporters in a video posted by the TV station. sports spectrum. “I'm like, 'Lord, please do something special.' And he made it happen and gave me the strength to run that last play…It was exciting. , it felt great.”
But Ivey said he doesn't find his identity in basketball. He admitted it was “easy” to get into the sport.
“I hit a shot today. [but] “Next game I'm 0-for-10. It's okay to fail. I might tear my ACL in a week. [the] The season is over.
“But at the end of the day, what really matters is your identity in Christ, because this game is over. When all is said and done, when time is over, you stand before a holy God. And so God will do it.'' And God wants to accept you. God already loves you. And He gave you many blessings by dying on the cross to take away our sins so that we could be with God in heaven forever.
“So I really believe in that and I support that.”
Ivey was referring to last season's team, which lost an NBA-record 28 straight games and finished 14-68. He has already won nine games this year.
“Throughout last year, it was important to really have an identity and know who I am,” he said.
“What really matters is your identity in Christ.”
Powerful words from Detroit Pistons forward Jaden Ivey after hitting the winning shot against Toronto on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/WhC2H5XUPD
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) November 26, 2024
Ivey was a first-round pick out of Purdue in 2022 and made the All-Rookie team in his first year, averaging 16.3 points. He averaged 15.4 points last season.
He has started all 21 games this season.
Photo provided by: ©Instagram/poisonous
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
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