Home US SportsNCAAB Michigan State’s Tom Izzo Blasts NCAA For ‘Ridiculous’ Ruling

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo Blasts NCAA For ‘Ridiculous’ Ruling

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Tom Izzo has never been one to shy away from saying how he really feels, and the Michigan State legend kept that going with his recent comments on the NCAA‘s latest eligibility ruling.

This year college basketball’s governing body allowed two ex-G League players to return to college and play at Division I schools — London Johnson, a former four-star recruit who played three seasons in the developmental league before committing to Louisville —and Thierry Darlan who’s set to play at Santa Clara.

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Neither situation seems like it would be legal under the NCAA’s previous amateurism/ eligibility rules. But the current state of NIL, revenue share and the transfer portal has definitely blurred the lines a bit on what is/isn’t at the moment.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – DECEMBER 10: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans watches action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena on December 10, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)Steven Branscombe/Getty Images

Izzo sounds off on NCAA’s ‘ridiculous’ decision

“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 (via ESPN.com). “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.”

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“Someone is going to say, ‘Well, if they go pro and it doesn’t work out, they should be able to come back,'” Izzo continued. “Well, what about the freshmen you recruited there? That’s somebody’s son and he thinks he’s got himself a good place, and all of a sudden, shazam, they pull out of their hat and bring a 21- or 22-year-old in [from the G League]. To me, it’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing.”

“And I love my job,” the Hall of Famer added. “I don’t respect my profession, and I don’t respect whoever is doing that. Whoever made those decisions because they’re afraid that a lawyer is going to sue them, sooner or later, you’ve got to fight the fight. … Maybe I’m the dummy, but I’ll never agree to that stuff.”

Coach calls on NCAA to ‘regroup’

On top of the slippery slope Izzo says could emerge from this and the lack of communication from up top, the four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year said the NCAA needs to go back to the drawing board.

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“The NCAA has got to regroup. They’ve got to regroup. That’s my opinion — only my opinion,” Izzo explained. “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.”

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College sports are definitely in a period of transition right now, and it seems like those in charge don’t really care what happens as long as the dollars keep rolling in. We’ll see where things go from here, but it’s hard to imagine there won’t be more of these cases for the NCAA to face down in the future.

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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