Tom Izzo didn’t hold back in criticizing the NCAA.
He ripped the decision to give James Nnaji eligibility and play for Baylor.
Nnaji was the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and after the Knicks acquired him from the Hornets as part of the three-team Karl-Anthony Towns trade ahead of last season, played on their summer league team just a few months ago.
But he did not make the Knicks’ roster, and since he has never signed an NBA contract, the NCAA ruled that he gets four years of college eligibility, effective immediately.
“Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything?” Izzo said on Saturday. “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. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid.
“So everybody talks about me thinking of my program or I’m selfish. No. Get that straight, for all of you. I’m thinking of, what is best for my son if he was in that position? And I just don’t agree with it.”
Nnaji played overseas for multiple seasons after being drafted, but this summer he left in an effort to begin his NBA career.
But he struggled in summer league with the Knicks, who still own his draft rights.
Now, he will be able to suit up with Baylor immediately.
“What we’ve done in the NCAA has been an absolute travesty to me,” Izzo said. “We’re just worried about getting sued and we’re not gonna fight anybody. And I think leadership means you fight and you make decisions that are sometimes unpopular.”