Izzo blasts NCAA for ‘ridiculous’ G League ruling

With two former G League players recently committing to play for Division I schools, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he doesn’t «respect» the NCAA powerbrokers who’ve allowed those moves to happen.

«I am going to get myself in trouble, but I listen to people talk about how kids changed. Kids aren’t the problem, we’re the problem,» Izzo told reporters Tuesday. «This was sprung on us again yesterday where a guy can be in the G League for two or three years and then all of a sudden, he’s eligible. Most of my people knew nothing about it. … I’m not real excited about the NCAA or whoever is making these decisions, without talking to us, just letting it go. They’re afraid they’re going to get sued.»

On Monday, London Johnson — a former four-star recruit who has averaged 7.6 points over three seasons in the G League — announced his commitment to Louisville. Last month, another G League player, Thierry Darlan, announced his commitment to Santa Clara.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and other former Michigan State stars who’ve had success in the NBA since the NCAA’s stance on former professionals being allowed to play college basketball appears to be changing. But he also made it clear that he doesn’t view the issue as a laughing matter.

He said he’s most concerned about high school seniors, who could lose their spots to G League players with professional experience, which could encourage even more young players in the future to enter the transfer portal.

He also said the lack of communication from decision-makers was troubling and he challenged the NCAA to consider the «unintended consequences» of the recent moves.

«The NCAA has got to regroup. They’ve got to regroup,» Izzo said. «That’s my opinion — only my opinion. Don’t be mad at anybody else. Be mad at us, but I’m not going to be mad at the players. I’m going to be mad at the adults in the room and so don’t blame the players anymore. Blame the adults that make the decisions, that allow some of these ridiculous things to happen. And then the unintended consequences hurt kids that are trying to do it the right way with a process, not jumping around. And that’s my 2 cents, so put that wherever you want.»