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Slap the Sign catches up with Notre Dame basketball recruit Jaden Ivey

By Mason Plummer

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: A detailed view of an Under Armour basketball as the Princeton Tigers play the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Royal Farms Arena on December 19, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Maryland Terrapins won, 82-61.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: A detailed view of an Under Armour basketball as the Princeton Tigers play the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Royal Farms Arena on December 19, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Maryland Terrapins won, 82-61.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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After his big win over rival Penn High School last week, Slap the Sign took the opportunity to catch up with Notre Dame recruit Jaden Ivey.

It’s not very common to get to see a top-notch Notre Dame high school basketball recruit play live, but last week it happened. Jaden Ivey lit up my former high school, Penn, for 24 points and four rebounds.

Ivey shot an impressive 7 of 14 from the field and was 7 for 7 from the line. Penn and Marian, both ranked top-10 in the state, match up well, but Penn did not have an answer for Ivey.

His quickness, explosive first step and ability to finish at the basket impressed everyone in the gym. He was the best player on the court by a long shot and there were multiple guys already committed to play the at the next level playing against him.

Ivey embraced the rivalry with Penn High School and beating them on their senior night in stride. “They are a great team. They pass the ball and shoot the ball very well and to play in front of a packed crowd on their senior night was crazy.”

Ivey found himself double teamed throughout the game and was constantly being hand-checked by the opposition. Anytime he drove into the lane, you could bet he was going to get a bump. Being the center of the opposition’s attention doesn’t faze Ivey, however. “Every team is trying to lock me up and I kind of get used to it.”

After the game, coaches and recruiters from many of the areas big programs were there to greet Ivey and maybe pitch their program a bit. Butler got the chance to speak with Ivey before I did and they were the school that had the most coaching staff at the game.

Ivey discussed his collegiate options, but did not lean one way or another. His top-3 at the moment are Notre Dame, Butler and Purdue but in no specific order. Ivey has drawn interest from Indiana, Ohio State and Xavier but has yet to draw an offer.

Ivey did not put a timetable on his decision and plans to take his time. He noted he still has the rest of this season to play and the upcoming summer to make a decision.

At the moment, it appears as if Ivey’s decision is down to Purdue and Notre Dame, as those would make the most sense for him personally. Ivey is big on family and staying close to home would seem to be ideal.

Niele Ivey, Jaden’s mother, is a former WNBA player and an assistant coach for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. Niele played her college basketball at Notre Dame, so Jaden could follow in his mother’s footsteps.

Ivey also has ties to former Notre Dame star Demetrius Jackson. Jackson and Ivey both attended Marian High School and Jackson has been a huge mentor to Ivey. Jackson and Ivey interact on Twitter pretty consistently, and do not try to hide their friendship.

https://twitter.com/D_Jay11/status/1098318726020108290

Jaden Ivey is a young star and a guy that would be a great pickup for Notre Dame. His ability to get to the basket and finish are immense. Ivey’s agility and quickness make him able to make an impact on Notre Dame’s squad immediately. He can shoot the three-ball as well as anyone in college basketball and reminds me quite a bit of a young TJ Gibbs.

Next. Notre Dame Football 2019 Look Ahead: Safeties. dark

Slap the Sign will keep you updated on Ivey’s college decision as his season goes on.