Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is not a fan of the fact 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 selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft and has played overseas since then. 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:
- Two-time All-Star guard 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.” The 36-year-old last appeared in the NBA in 2023/24, when he made six appearances for the Suns. Last season, he played 14 games for the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League, averaging 29.1 points and 5.5 assists in 30.8 minutes per contest.
- Former NBA wing 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.
Back up the Brinks truck! Do they have Brinks in Europe?
I understand and agree with Izzo’s point, but when was the last time the NCAA was actually amateur. College Football and basketball players been getting paid forever.
This is a weak argument because if they were always getting paid why did things change so drastically once NIL was approved?
Things changed so drastically because it is out in the open, there is much more money involved and because of the transfer portal with players not having to sit out a year. 10 years ago Izzo wanted plausible deniability about his players being paid, i.e. he knew it was going on but did not get his hands dirty. Now if the players aren’t happy with their paycheck he has to deal with it.
I mean Izzo is probably right, but at same time he is earning $7 mil a year. So feels a little hypocritical.
100 percent
The problem is the ncaa shouldnt be used to develop nba players. These guys dont even study, they take random classes and leave after one year. Whats the point of going to college?
There should be a pro youth league focused on developing players for the nba. Then college players would be students that also happen to play basketball, as it should be.