Jaden Ivey engaged in an extensive Instagram live stream, revealing deeply personal struggles shortly after being waived by the Chicago Bulls on Monday for conduct deemed detrimental to the team. This public airing of grievances followed an earlier video rant by Ivey concerning religion and included anti-gay remarks.

Ivey Details Past Lifestyle and NBA Struggles

Confessions of Addiction and Lifestyle

During the live session, which occurred while Ivey was at an airport, he disclosed details about his life prior to finding a new spiritual path. He stated that when he entered the NBA, he was unfamiliar with God or Jesus.

Ivey explicitly stated, “I was a fornicator, I was a pornography addict and I used to get drunk. That’s all I knew.” He explained that success and performance, like scoring many points after a win, made him feel as though he had everything under control.

Divine Intervention and Humbling

The former No. 5 overall pick, originally selected out of Purdue by the Detroit Pistons, suggested his career downturn was intentional. He reflected, “As soon as that shut down for me, as soon as I didn’t start, that’s when God was humbling me and he sat me down for a reason.”

Ivey's tenure with the Pistons ended when he was traded to Chicago. Last season, injuries limited him to just 30 games, and he missed the beginning of the current season before the trade.

Recent Career Setbacks and Religious Statements

Bulls Shut Down Ivey for Knee Injury

The Chicago Bulls had previously announced last week that Ivey would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to soreness in his left knee. This followed a game where Ivey, pictured here playing for the Bulls against the Nuggets on February 7, 2026, expressed a significant personal shift.

The 'Old J.I. is Dead'

In a press conference following that game, Ivey told reporters he was fundamentally changed. He declared, “I’m not the J.I. I used to be. The old J.I. is dead,” adding, “I’m alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.”

Claims of Religious Discrimination

Ivey asserted that his newfound faith was the reason for friction with those around him, leading to his departure from the team. He claimed, “That’s why everybody around me turning their back on me because of my faith.”

He maintained he was fulfilling his professional duties, stating, “I didn’t get myself waived. I was in the gym today, I was rehabbing, lifting, and doing what was required of me in my job.” Ivey concluded that teams would likely reject him due to his religious intensity.

Critique of NBA Legends

Ivey extended his commentary to other high-profile players, referencing Stephen Curry. He expressed a desire for Curry and his family to find salvation through Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Ivey suggested that earthly achievements hold no eternal value without faith. He stated, “All them rings he got, all them rings LeBron got, all them rings Michael Jordan got, all them people in the Hall of Fame who don’t know Jesus Christ — No. It’s not gonna matter on Judgment Day if you don’t know Jesus and your name is not written in the book of life.”