Jaden Ivey says he almost ended his own life multiple times, but credits God for saving him: "He kept me here"

BASKETBALL NETWORK ^ | Apr 1, 2026 | Bruno Feliks

[nickcarraway]

Ivey was waived by the Chicago Bulls due to his viral statements that began circulating on social media.

Jaden Ivey‘s life, to a neutral and casual basketball viewer, would seem like a fairytale at first glance. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, he fulfilled his childhood dream by reaching the status of an NBA player.

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Along the way, Ivey became a millionaire doing what he loves, an opportunity that very few people get in their lifetime. However, everything that has recently been happening around the Indiana native has once again put into focus that life as a professional athlete is not all sunshine and rainbows.

The Purdue product came into the public spotlight because of his controversial Instagram posts, which ultimately led the Chicago Bulls to terminate his contract with the 6-foot-3 guard and last night Ivey addressed the public about his mental state.

“There’s been many times where God has been so merciful, bro. Like, I’ve almost committed suicide multiple times and I’m not ashamed to say it. I’m not ashamed because God was merciful to keep me here. I almost committed suicide,” Ivey said Tuesday evening during an interview on the “PinPoint Podcast,” hosted by Kerrigan Skelly.

“I had oxy pills in my head. And my wife was telling me, don’t do it. Don’t do this. Don’t go down this road,” Ivey added. “And God was convicting me and I didn’t know the truth. And so then, man, I didn’t do it by God’s grace. He kept me here.”

Ivey’s post has quickly become viral

This statement once again sent social networks into a frenzy, where Ivey is mostly being portrayed as a kind of madman and someone who has definitely lost his compass, without anyone asking what lies beneath the surface.

Everyone has problems and worries that affect us on a daily basis, whether on a larger or smaller scale and people generally worry about public opinion without thinking about the consequences it has on their mental health.

Regarding Ivey, after his recent viral statement about “Judgment Day”, a clip surfaced in which he admitted that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

“When I think of as a child, I just never felt love before. I never felt what true love felt like,” Ivey said on his Instagram video. “And as I grew up, there were some traumas that I went through, but I don’t really explain to people, um, but I definitely was sexually abused as a kid. There were some things that I saw that I don’t really even talk about, but I know there was a seed that Satan tried to use at an early age.”

“And, that was tough, obviously, growing up. But, um, as I grew up, I just tried to seek the wrong things. I tried sleeping with women to fulfill a certain void in my heart that, as I continued to just grow as a man, I was trying to fill a void,” Ivey added.

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The Bulls will pay out his $10 million contract

This somewhat explains Ivey’s problems that clearly still affect him today and have left a major mark on him early on, which ultimately pushed him to fully turn to faith and Jesus Christ.

However, even though the Bulls will still pay out his $10 million contract, it is unlikely that he will receive another NBA contract soon, especially after these statements and some information that has begun circulating on social media.

Reportedly, he “destroyed the locker room sanctuary.” Constant preaching made players uncomfortable, religious rhetoric was “pressed” upon teammates daily and he told players who was “righteous and unrighteous.”

He also had some hot takes on top NBA stars such as Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry.

How this situation will unfold remains to be seen and the entire basketball community hopes that the 24-year-old will overcome these problems he is facing and eventually return successfully to the basketball court.

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TOPICS: Religion; Sports
KEYWORDS:

[Jim W N]

Jaden Ivey

[reasonisfaith]

“Constant preaching made players uncomfortable”

The Snowflake Generation.

[Texas Eagle]

I don't watch Jimmy Kimmel's show but I might watch it tonight to see him come to Ivey's defense. His rant should be Epic!

HA! As if.

[griswold3]

God must have a purpose for you. I’m glad you’re still here.