Tom Izzo Criticizes NCAA for Allowing NBA Draft Picks to Return to College Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo publicly condemned the NCAA’s decision to permit players like James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick, to return to college basketball after professional stints. Nnaji, who was selected by the Detroit Pistons and later traded twice, including in the deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, recently announced his return to Baylor University following time with FC Barcelona and the G League.
Izzo, a legendary figure in college basketball, expressed his disapproval during a recent interview, criticizing the NCAA’s policies that allow drafted players to resume collegiate eligibility. “Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything,” Izzo said, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. “If that’s what we’re going to do, 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.”
He emphasized that his concerns stem from what he believes is best for the players themselves, rather than just his own program. “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 added. His remarks highlight a growing debate about the evolving nature of college basketball eligibility and the NCAA’s role in regulating it.
The trend of former college players returning to school after professional experience has become more common, blurring the lines between amateur and professional status. Nnaji’s journey—from being drafted in 2023, playing overseas with Barcelona, and now returning to Baylor—exemplifies this shift. The NCAA’s current rules permit such returns, which some, like Izzo, argue undermine the integrity of college basketball.
Izzo stopped short of calling for direct action but made clear his frustration with the NCAA’s approach. He suggested that if college basketball is to embrace professional elements, it should commit fully rather than allowing partial participation. “If college basketball is going to be more like the professional ranks, then it should go all in instead of dipping a toe or two in those waters,” he said.
James Nnaji’s return to college basketball also raises questions about the NCAA’s eligibility policies, which have evolved in recent years to accommodate players’ varied career paths. The NCAA has faced pressure to adapt to changing dynamics, including the rise of the G League and international play as alternatives to traditional college routes.
As the debate continues, stakeholders from coaches to players and administrators are watching closely. The NCAA’s decisions impact not only competitive balance but also the development and welfare of student-athletes navigating complex career choices. For now, Izzo’s outspoken stance adds a prominent voice to the conversation about the future of college basketball.
For more on NCAA eligibility rules and player transitions, visit the NCAA Eligibility Center. Meanwhile, the NBA official statistics offer detailed tracking of players’ professional careers, including those who return to college competition.
Tom Izzo’s comments underscore the tensions between tradition and modernization in college sports, a debate that will likely intensify as more players like James Nnaji navigate unconventional paths between collegiate and professional basketball.
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