Jaden Ivey was overcome with emotion when the Detroit Pistons selected him with the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. The 20-year-old basketball star immediately embraced his mother, Niele Ivey, when he heard his name called.

As he spoke with ESPN after his big moment, Jaden fought through the tears and showed gratitude to Niele, the former WNBA star who played a huge role in helping her son develop his basketball skills.

“Oh man, this is everything,” Jaden told ESPN. “I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. I’m just so happy.”

Niele was also in disbelief as she saw her son’s dream come to reality.

“I’m speechless almost, this is his dream come true,” she told ESPN. “To be in Detroit, [we] have so many roots in Detroit. To be able to walk on that stage… I’m just so joyful, I’m so happy for him … just taking it all in.”

Jaden Ivey grew up watching his mother, Niele, play in the WNBA.

Today, Niele gets to see her son drafted into the NBA ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zTae5B7t88
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2022

Niele Ivey

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