NBA fans worried about star’s mental health after 75-minute Instagram Live and anti-Catholic comment
Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey delivered a 75-minute religious sermon on Instagram Live, calling Catholicism a false religion while his mother Niele Ivey coaches at Notre Dame
13:02 ET, 29 Mar 2026Updated 13:03 ET, 29 Mar 2026
Jaden Ivey drew concern and ire over remarks he made during and after a 75-minute Instagram Live(Image: Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)
During a 75-minute Instagram Live session that rapidly descended into something far removed from a typical athlete update, NBA star Jaden Ivey focused almost entirely on religion, sin and salvation, while scarcely mentioning the sport that elevated him to fame.
Instead, the Chicago Bulls guard presented what appeared more like a religious address, subsequently commenting that Catholicism is a false religion and prompting mental health worries from NBA supporters.
This unfolded just one day before his mother, Niele Ivey, coached No. 6 Notre Dame women’s basketball in an Elite Eight March Madness clash against No. 1 UConn on Sunday.
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Notre Dame was established in 1842 by the Congregation of Holy Cross and, according to the university, continues to have 80% of students identifying as Catholic.
When questioned about Catholic practices, Jaden Ivey answered directly that “Catholicism is a false religion” and insisted it does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ. The remark triggered swift backlash, particularly given his mother’s employer.
Supporters rapidly pivoted from discussing the subject to expressing concern for the NBA player’s mental health. Several posts emerged, calling on someone close to Ivey to “check in” on him, including public appeals to team personnel.
Ivey is the son of Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey(Image: Chris Schwegler, NBAE via Getty Images)
Ivey’s Instagram livestream stressed that ‘Judgment Day’ won’t center on statistics or franchises, but instead on faith and devotion to God. “The Lord isn’t going to ask about the Pistons’ score; He’ll ask, ‘What did you do for my kingdom,” he said.
The livestream sparked mental health worries as the sidelined Bulls guard delivered scripture readings and a personal account with cautions about vices such as smoking and drinking.
He described his former life as that of a “sinner” with “no rest for my soul,” highlighting how his faith changed him.
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Ivey maintains that many who identify as Christians aren’t genuinely saved, arguing that faith without works is “dead” and that those who persist in sin cannot enter the kingdom of God. His social media features two faith-based videos and one documenting his son’s birth.
The 24 year old is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury following his trade to Chicago in a three-team transaction with the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Both of his videos were posted while recovering from injury following the trade.
Niele Ivey played at Notre Dame before late becoming head coach(Image: Elsa, Getty Images)
Niele Ivey has built her career at Notre Dame initially as a national championship-winning player, subsequently taking on the role of head coach. She went to Catholic grade school and then Cor Jesu Academy, a Catholic high school in St. Louis.
She also pointed out that Notre Dame’s “strong Catholic values” and “Catholic character” were major factors in her choice to compete there as a student-athlete and to take the coaching role. She also served as the keynote speaker at a 2024 Catholic fundraiser for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County, where she discussed the significance of her faith.
