NBA Player Fired Over Religious Beliefs on Pride Month

Jaden Ivey's comments criticizing the league's Pride Month celebration led to his dismissal from the Chicago Bulls.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:41am

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Jaden Ivey, a rising young guard in the NBA, was waived by the Chicago Bulls after he criticized the league's celebration of Pride Month on social media, citing his Christian beliefs. The team cited 'conduct detrimental to the team' as the reason for his dismissal, though Ivey maintains he remained a committed player and good teammate. The decision has sparked debate over the NBA's tolerance for differing religious and ideological views among its players.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the NBA's apparent intolerance for traditional religious beliefs that conflict with the league's progressive messaging around LGBTQ+ issues. It raises questions about the league's commitment to free speech and its willingness to exclude players over their personal views, even when those views do not disrupt team operations.

The details

Ivey, a former Purdue standout and third-year NBA player, criticized the NBA's celebration of Pride Month in an Instagram video, saying the league was 'proclaiming Pride Month' and 'celebrating unrighteousness' in a way that conflicted with his Christian beliefs. The Bulls subsequently waived Ivey, citing 'conduct detrimental to the team,' though the team and head coach Billy Donovan provided little explanation for how Ivey's comments met that threshold.

  • Ivey's comments were made during Holy Week, a sacred period in the Christian calendar.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A 23-year-old NBA player who was waived by the Chicago Bulls after criticizing the league's Pride Month celebration on social media, citing his Christian beliefs.

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who provided a muted response to Ivey's dismissal and did not directly address the player's comments.

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What they’re saying

“'They proclaim Pride Month. They say, 'Come join us … to celebrate unrighteousness.'”

— Jaden Ivey, NBA Player

“'How is it conduct detrimental to the team? What did I do to the team?'”

— Jaden Ivey, NBA Player

What’s next

Ivey may seek to join another NBA team, but the league's handling of this incident could set a precedent for how it responds to players expressing religious or ideological views that conflict with the league's messaging.

The takeaway

The NBA's decision to waive Jaden Ivey over his religious comments about Pride Month raises concerns about the league's commitment to free speech and its willingness to exclude players based on their personal beliefs, even when those beliefs do not disrupt team operations. This incident highlights the league's apparent intolerance for traditional religious views that conflict with its progressive messaging around LGBTQ+ issues.