Chicago Bulls Cut Jaden Ivey for Preaching the Gospel and the Church Said Nothing

Jaden Ivey Waived by Chicago Bulls After Sharing His Christian Faith on Social Media

The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on March 30, 2026, citing "conduct detrimental to the team" after the young player posted videos on Instagram expressing his Christian beliefs and criticizing the NBA's promotion of Pride Month.

Ivey, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was traded to Chicago from the Detroit Pistons in a three team deal in early February. He appeared in only four games before being shut down for the season due to a sore left knee.

In his Instagram video, Ivey spoke plainly about what the Bible teaches regarding marriage and sexuality. He stated that the NBA's celebration of Pride Month promotes "unrighteousness" and called on fellow believers to stand firm in their convictions.

My conduct was not detrimental to the team. That is a lie. I was a good teammate to those around me. I made the right plays. I did exactly what the coach asked.

Ivey said this during an appearance on the PinPoint Podcast, where he disputed the Bulls' official reason for his release. He maintained that the real reason was simple: "It is strictly because I spoke the truth of the word of God and was preaching the Gospel."

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan responded by saying the organization has employees from "all different walks of life" and that Ivey's comments do not reflect the team's values.

In a deeply personal revelation, Ivey also disclosed that he had attempted suicide multiple times during his struggles, saying he "had Oxy pills in my hands" before his wife and his faith in Christ pulled him back from the edge.

Multiple NFL players rallied behind Ivey in the days following his release, including Juanyeh Thomas, Azareye'h Thomas, Blake Ferguson, and Damien Lewis. Christian athletes across professional sports voiced their support for Ivey's right to share his faith publicly.

Columnist Eric Wallace, writing for The Christian Post, posed the central question: Where is the institutional church's response? Wallace argued that when a young Christian athlete faces professional consequences for expressing biblical beliefs, the silence of church leadership speaks volumes about the state of modern Christianity.

NBA Star Jaden Ivey Cut by Bulls for Preaching the Gospel: The Growing Cost of Christian Faith in Professional Sports

Ivey also called out high profile Christians in sports, including Stephen Curry, for refusing to push back against the NBA's ideological positions. He challenged believers to stop staying silent when their faith is at odds with the culture around them.

If someone can speak and curse, then I can speak the truth.

The former Purdue standout now faces free agency with questions about whether any team will sign him. He has openly said he believes teams view him as "too religious," a label that would have been unthinkable in professional sports just a decade ago.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me be absolutely clear about what happened here. A 24 year old man opened his Bible, read what it says, said it out loud, and lost his job for it. Not for committing a crime. Not for failing a drug test. Not for domestic violence. For quoting Scripture. The NBA will plaster rainbow logos on every court in America during Pride Month, but the moment a player opens the Word of God, he is "detrimental to the team." That is not tolerance. That is persecution with a corporate logo. The silence from church leaders is deafening and damning. If the Church will not stand up for its own when the cost is merely public criticism, what will it do when the cost is far greater? Wake up, Body of Christ. The world is telling you exactly what it thinks of your Savior.

Take Action

• Pray publicly for Jaden Ivey and share his story on every social media platform you have. Use the hashtags #StandWithIvey and #JadenIvey to ensure his voice is not silenced.
• Contact the Chicago Bulls directly and let them know that silencing Christian expression is unacceptable. Bulls front office: (312) 455 4000.
• Write to the NBA Commissioner's office and demand equal treatment for athletes of faith. Email: fanrelations@nba.com
• Support Christian athletes and organizations defending religious liberty. Visit www.TheShepherdsShield.org to donate and support persecuted believers worldwide.
• Talk to your pastor this Sunday. Ask why your church has not spoken up for Jaden Ivey. Demand that your congregation takes a public stand for Christians who face real consequences for their faith.