This week, NBA G League players will announce their commitment to college, allowing them to compete in the 2026-27 NCAA season.
If you’re thinking this doesn’t quite make sense, you’re not the only one.
Tom Izzo, the veteran coach of Michigan State basketball, expressed strong opposition to allowing London Johnson, a 21-year-old who played in the G League for three years, to join Louisville this week.
Izzo shared his frustrations with reporters, stating, “I would be killed because someone would say, ‘If you go pro and it doesn’t work out, shouldn’t you come back?'” He then noted the impact on the younger players who were already part of the team: “What about the freshmen they recruited there? That’s somebody’s son.” He finds it absurd that a younger player’s hard work could be overshadowed just because an older player is brought in unexpectedly.
In his remarks, Izzo said, “I love my job, but I don’t respect my profession. I don’t respect whoever’s making those decisions.” He fears legal repercussions for speaking out but believes something needs to change.
At 70, Izzo humorously suggested he might even reach out to former Michigan State legends like Magic Johnson to see if they’d like to return.
He continued, “Maybe it’s me, but I would never agree to that. I think we’re really hurting our high school seniors by giving them this chance. What’s the age limit now? 30? It raises so many ridiculous questions. The transfer portal has already created enough chaos; now we’re just adding more layers.”
The situation surrounding Johnson’s eligibility began last month when another former G Leaguer, Thierry Darlan, 21, was permitted to join Santa Clara. Darlan’s agent noted that the NCAA granted him two years of eligibility due to his age and time since leaving high school.
In recent times, the NCAA has allowed young international players with professional experience to play collegiately, leading to this recent decision regarding G League players.
“The NCAA needs to regroup,” Izzo remarked. “I’m not upset with the players; it’s the adults in charge that need to reconsider.”
