Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is not a fan of the recent report that Knicks’ prospect James Nnaji has been granted eligibility to play for Baylor University, writes Jared Schwartz for the New York Post.
“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.”
Nnaji was the 31st pick in the 2023 Draft and has played overseas since being drafted. He joined the Knicks’ Summer League team this offseason but struggled to make an impact, averaging 3.2 points in 12.9 minutes per game.
We have more from around the world of international basketball:
- Isaiah Thomas is considering heading overseas to continue his career, according to the Eurohoops team. “Thinking about slidin’ to the EuroLeague,” Thomas posted to Twitter. “I just want to HOOP.” Thomas most recently played six games for the Suns in the 2023/24 season, as well as playing 14 games for the Salt Lake City Stars G League team in 2024/25, with whom he averaged 29.1 points and 5.5 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
- Damion Lee is expected to part ways with Ironi Ness Ziona, writes Dario Skerletic of Sportando. Lee played in just three games for the Israeli club, averaging 7.0 points in 22.7 minutes while shooting 29.2% from the field and 9.1% from three. Lee played 25 games for the Suns last year after missing the previous season with a knee injury.
- Saben Lee is finalizing a move from Olympiacos to Anadolu Efes, writes Stavros Barbarousis for Eurohoops. Barbarousis writes that Lee struggled to meet the Greek team’s need at point guard and that Anadolu Efes will cover his contract for the rest of the season. Lee has averaged 3.4 points and 1.4 assists during EuroLeague play so far this season.