Pistons draft pick Jaden Ivey has Detroit Lions roots

Pistons draft pick Jaden Ivey has some serious sports lineage, including a grandfather who played for the Lions for several years.

When the Detroit Pistons selected Purdue guard Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday night, they gave a nod to another Detroit squad.

Ivey is the grandson of former Lions defensive back James Hunter, who played for Detroit for all seven of his NFL seasons. Hunter started 77 games between 1976 and 1982. His 27 career interceptions ranks seventh on the Lions’ all-time records.

No word yet on if Ivey will wear his grandfather’s No. 28 for the Pistons. Ivey’s father, Javin Hunter, played wide receiver in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2002 season. His mom is Notre Dame’s women’s basketball coach.