Tom Izzo blasted the NCAA this afternoon for allowing former 21-year old former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji to return to college basketball and play for Baylor.
“I thought I’d seen the worst. Then Christmas came,” Izzo said. “It topped it. It just topped it. What happened just topped it.”
Izzo joked that he might call some former Michigan State greats, including NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
“I said it to you a month and a half ago…come on Magic (Johnson) and Gary (Harris), let’s go baby, let’s do it,” Izzo said sarcastically. “Why not? I mean, if that’s what we’re going to, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches are gonna do what they gotta do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid.”
Check out his rant below:
Tom Izzo was asked about James Nnaji enrolling at Baylor. Nnaji, 21, was selected 31st in the 2023 NBA Draft but he never signed an NBA contract, choosing instead to play professionally in Europe, before appearing with the Knicks in the 2025 Summer League. Here's Izzo's answer: pic.twitter.com/yPWHLyy6Sw
— Spartans Illustrated (@Spartans_Illo) December 27, 2025
