Tom Izzo criticizes system that let Baylor add former draft pick

Tom Izzo is not pleased with the state of college basketball, and he is willing to criticize his peers by name if he thinks it is justified.

The Baylor Bears exploited a rules loophole to add 21-year-old center James Nnaji to their team, even though Nnaji has been selected in the NBA Draft. Nnaji was taken 31st overall in 2023, but never signed an NBA contract and spent each of the last two seasons playing in Europe.

Izzo is very much a traditionalist, and unsurprisingly, he was staunchly opposed to the move. He even said he called Baylor coach Scott Drew to figure out what was going on.

“I don’t know the whole situation. I’m a little disappointed. Scott’s a good friend of mine,” Izzo said. “I asked Coen (Carr), ‘Would you be OK if I went and got Miles (Bridges) and brought him back?’ He laughed, but that’s what we’re doing. Somebody’s sitting. Somebody’s not playing. And I just don’t think that’s fair for the players. Some of them worked their butt off to get to this position.

“I’m a little surprised. I’ve got a call in to Scott. I’m anxious to see what he tells me. I’m not saying that we’re holier than thou art or anybody should not do this or that, but if that’s what we’re going to do, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too, but shame on the NCAA, because coaches are going to do what they’ve got to do, I guess.”