Jaden Ivey continues Detroit sports family legacy after mom, grandfather played in Motor City

Jaden Ivey is continuing his family legacy in Detroit, as he was selected with the fifth-overall pick by the Pistons in the NBA Draft.

The NBA Draft saw 58 prospects achieve their dreams of playing professional basketball. For Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, he had the chance to achieve his dream and continue his family’s sports legacy.

Ivey was selected with the fifth-overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, and he was overcome with emotion as he hugged his family and walked onto the stage to shake the hand of NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The reason being is that Ivey’s mother, Niele, played for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and his grandfather, James Hunter, as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions.

Jaden Ivey continues family legacy in Detroit sports

The Pistons had a surprise for Ivey during his and Jalen Duren’s introductory press conference on June 24, as they presented him with the jerseys of his mother, grandfather and father Javin, the latter of whom played for Detroit Country Day high school in Beverly Hills, Mich.

Niele Ivey, who played for the Indiana Fever (2001-04) and the Phoenix Mercury (2005), joined the Shock in the 2005 season. Ivey is currently the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball program.

Hunter was a former 10th-overall pick by the Lions in 1976 out of Grambling State, and he spent his entire with the team until the 1982 season. In that span, Hunter recorded 27 interceptions, which is the seventh-most in Lions franchise history. Additionally, Hunter recorded five fumbles, four fumble recoveries and four sacks.

Now, Ivey has the chance to continue his family’s legacy in Detroit. Not only that, but he is nwo part of the young core of Cade Cunningham and Duren to help the Pistons return to their former glory.