Jaden Ivey Preaches Publicly After Bulls Waiver

Jaden Ivey, a 24-year-old NBA guard recently waived by the Chicago Bulls, drew widespread attention on April 5, 2026, when a video surfaced showing him preaching to a small crowd at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama. In the footage, Ivey quoted scripture from Matthew 5:8, stating, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," as he addressed passersby with a microphone.

The public display of faith came just days after the Bulls released Ivey on March 30, 2026, citing conduct detrimental to the team. The decision followed a series of Instagram livestreams in which Ivey criticized the NBA's Pride Month initiatives, describing them as promoting "unrighteousness." He also made remarks questioning Catholicism as a religion and directed comments toward the LGBTQ community, including statements that men and women should not lie with the same gender, based on his interpretation of biblical teachings. Reports indicated these posts created tension within the locker room, with Ivey's frequent evangelizing among teammates contributing to the friction.

Acquired by the Bulls from the Detroit Pistons in early February 2026, Ivey appeared in only four games for Chicago while...