Purdue star Jaden Ivey declares for 2022 NBA Draft

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey plans to enter the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced on social media (via Twitter). He’s currently No. 4 on ESPN’s big board.

The sophomore standout didn’t specify whether he will hire an agent and thus lose his remaining college eligibility, but it would be shocking if he went back to school considering he’s projected to be a top-five pick in the draft.

After averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists on .399/.258/.726 shooting as a freshman (24 games, 24.2 minutes), Ivey emerged as one of the best players in the country this season, averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on .460/.358/.744 shooting (36 games, 31.4 minutes per contest).

Ivey helped lead Purdue to a 29-8 record and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2021-22, where the Boilermakers ultimately lost in the Sweet 16 to the historic No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s.

Standing 6-4 with a nearly 6-10 wingspan, Ivey is an electric athlete and considered one of the most physically gifted prospects in the draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Ivey improved his perimeter shooting and picked his spots better as a sophomore but still struggled at times as a decision-maker.

Ivey’s physical tools theoretically point to great defensive potential, but Givony states that Ivey frequently lost focus on the less-glamorous end of the court, especially off the ball. Still, he’s a special athlete who’s able to shift gears and blow past opponents, which could translate well to the more open, pace-and-space NBA game.