WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — The NBA Rising All-Star Game includes rookie and second-year players going against each other in a four-team tournament format. The rising stars of today could be the biggest names of tomorrow. Chosen to participate this year is former Purdue Boilermaker Jaden Ivey.
Ivey is back in his home state and participating in his Second Rising Stars game. Sports 18 got a chance to catch up with Ivey before he took to the court tonight.
In regards to coming back and participating in a second year, he said, “I’m just really thankful and blessed and honored to be here. I’ve lived here, most of my life, I played here, most of my life, you know it’s just a great opportunity for me to really be able to enjoy this. But it’s really just a blessing to be here and to represent the state of Indiana.”
This year’s game means a lot to Ivey. Not just because he was chosen by Tamika Catchings, who has known him since birth, but also because he’ll have friends and family in attendance.
Ivey said, “I have a lot of cousins and uncles and some of my best friends coming here to watch me play. So, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Hover, his homecoming tour didn’t just go through Indianapolis.
Ivey got a chance to visit his Alma Mater for the first time in two years when Purdue hosted Minnesota last night.
He said being back in the best arena in college basketball was simply amazing, even though it looked a bit different than he remembered.
Ivey said, “It was different from when I left there. You know they have new stuff built in the arena, but it was great! I saw my coaches, my old teammates, and I was excited to be back and just the time that i spent there you know I really cherish it. And you know it’s always great to be back in Mackey Arena.”
