If veteran college basketball coaches were hanging it up because of the transfer portal and NIL, the latest trend may push out even more venerable leaders.
“Write this one down: It’s gonna get me. I’m just not gonna let it bother me. But it’s gonna get me sooner or later. Sooner or later, it’s gonna get me,’ longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Dec. 27.
Izzo is referring to the influx of former G League players and seasoned international prospects signing up for college basketball. But the Dec. 24 news of a former NBA draft pick getting eligibility as a midseason addition may be Izzo’s tipping point.
“I thought I’d seen the worst. Then Christmas came,” Izzo said. “It topped it. It just topped it. What happened just topped it.”
UConn coach Dan Hurley posted, ‘Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions… this s*** is crazy!!’
Baylor received a commitment from James Nnaji, a 7-foot center from Nigeria who was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old will be eligible to play immediately for Scott Drew and will have four years of eligibility remaining, a Baylor spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
Izzo said he has a message in to Drew, whom he considers a “good friend” from their time on various committees.
“Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything?” Izzo said. “I said it to you a month and a half ago – c’mon Magic (Johnson) and Gary (Harris), let’s go baby, let’s do it. 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.
“So everybody talks about me thinking of my program or I’m selfish. No. Get that straight, for all of you. I’m thinking of, what is best for my son if he was in that position? And I just don’t agree with it.”
Izzo expressed his disgust in late October over the NCAA’s ruling to allow former G League guard London Johnson to be able to join Louisville with two seasons of eligibility next season despite the 21-year-old having played three years as a pro. Now comes the midseason ruling that 21-year-old Nnjai, the No. 31 pick by Detroit in the 2023 NBA Draft, can join the Bears at midseason and have a full four seasons of eligibility.
Nnjai never played in the NBA or G League but appeared in five NBA Summer League Games for the New York Knicks in July and played professionally overseas last season.
Izzo said he received a text message Friday from “a very famous, great coach” that summed up where his feelings are right now with the flurry of rules changes.
“It said, ‘I believe in everything you’re saying. Just don’t let it ruin your year. Why fight city hall?’” Izzo said. “I’m not gonna fight city hall. I’m just not gonna stick up for it, either. I’m not gonna tell you that as a guy that worked for the NCAA on 20 years on every committee known to man. I’m not gonna tell you that this (NCAA President Charlie Baker), to me, is doing anything but running from leadership and is making decisions that are against them. …
“What we’ve done in the NCAA has been an absolute travesty to me. We’re just worried about getting sued and we’re not gonna fight anybody. And I think leadership means you fight and you make decisions that are sometimes unpopular.”
Izzo said he would love to poll the 361 Division I coaches to see how many favor the fluid eligibility rules, projecting that maybe 5-10% agree with the shifting standards. And he expressed concern that fans are continuing to grow frustrated and tuning out on college sports becoming more and more professionalized without any guidelines.
“If that’s the way it is, and if I have to make those adjustments, then let’s make them. Let’s go pro if that’s the way it is,” he said. “But let’s not be half you-know-what. Because there’s no such thing as being half that.”
USA TODAY Sports reporter Jordan Mendoza contributed to this story.