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Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo criticized the NCAA’s recent decision to allow former NBA G League players to play college baseball.
Thierry Darlan, 21, committed to Santa Clara last month after spending parts of two seasons in the G League, while London Johnson, who spent three seasons in the league, will attend Louisville.
Izzo said that today’s college basketball “has no rules” and that “kids are not the problem, we are the problem.”
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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo walks off the court after a 70-64 loss to Auburn in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“I’m going to get in trouble…I’m not very excited about the NCAA or whoever is making these decisions, not talking to us, just letting it go. They’re afraid of getting sued,” Izzo told reporters Tuesday, via ESPN.
“Someone’s going to say, ‘Well, if they go pro and it doesn’t work out, they should be able to come back. Well, what about the freshmen you recruited there? That’s someone’s kid and they think they have a good spot, and all of a sudden, shazam, they tip their hat and bring in a 21- or 22-year-old kid (from the G League). To me, it’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing.”
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo gestures in the second half of a game against New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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“And I love my job. I don’t respect my profession, and I don’t respect whoever is doing that. Whoever made those decisions because they’re afraid a lawyer will sue them, sooner or later, they’re going to have to fight the fight… Maybe I’m the fool, but I’ll never accept those things.”
Izzo said the NCAA needs to “regroup” and again absolve the players themselves of any blame.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo watches during the day of practice before the NCAA. Men’s Basketball tournament at Spectrum Center on March 20, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“I’m not going to get mad at the players. I’m going to get mad at the adults in the room,” he said. “So don’t blame the players anymore. Blame the adults who make the decisions, who allow some of these ridiculous things to happen. And then the unintended consequences hurt the kids who are trying to do it the right way with a process, without jumping back and forth.”
Izzo’s Spartans reached the Elite Eight last season but lost to Auburn.
