Hall of Fame head coaches are sharply criticizing the NCAA and other stakeholders as NBA G League players sign with college programs. Earlier this month, three-year G League guard London Johnson committed to Louisville out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Also, guard Thierry Darlan, who spent two seasons in the G League, signed with West Coast Conference school Santa Clara late last month. These developments are drawing loud comments from college head coaches.
Coaches Blast NCAA for G Leaguers Heading to College
Michigan State’s Hall of Fame head coach, Tom Izzo, didn’t hold back after he heard about Johnson signing with Louisville. He called it “ridiculous” and “embarrassing” that a player can suit up in the G League for a few seasons and then go compete in college.
“Kids aren’t the problem, we’re the problem,” Izzo said. He added that the NCAA and other stakeholders who allowed G Leaguers to play at the collegiate level did so because, “They’re afraid they’re going to get sued.”
Izzo brings up a valid point when he says it’s unfair to incoming freshmen who are recruited by college programs, believe they have a roster spot, and then have that spot taken away by a G League player.
How Can G League Players Compete in College?
National reporter Joe Tipton of On3/Rivals had a piece this week explaining the issue. On the face of it, a G League player trying to suit up in college should be denied this opportunity. That’s because the G League includes players who are at the professional level. That goes against the NCAA’s historical definition of pro versus amateurism. However, in the NIL and revenue-sharing era, the debate of pro vs. amateur becomes more cloudy, experts say.
Historically, an athlete who played at the professional level and took a salary wouldn’t be able to compete in college. But due to NIL and revenue-sharing, college athletes are now getting paid. How is that any different than a G League player getting paid? As Tipton notes, the majority of G League players don’t earn a lot of money, with an average salary of $40,500 per year. Tipton says the NCAA deems that a small enough salary to cover basic expenses such as housing and travel. Players earning above these “actual and necessary expenses” have to pay back the difference.
With that as context, Tipton and other experts say the NCAA has determined that G League players aren’t professionals as the NCAA defined it in the past. Thus, if a G League player is within five years of his high school graduation, he could be eligible to play in college. A G League player’s collegiate eligibility, though, could be in question if he has gone through the NBA Draft process or previously signed an NBA contract, Tipton says. Based on the NCAA’s logic, experts say more G League players will try to become college eligible. That irks college coaches.
Feb 19, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Team Scoot guard London Johnson (2) makes a slam dunk against Team Luka during the second half at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
More College Coaches Blast NCAA Over G League Issue
Bill Self, a Hall of Fame head coach who guided Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022, echoed Izzo’s sentiments.
“My personal opinion is, I have no idea what we’re doing,” Self said. “… This is gonna open up unintended consequences that we’re gonna have to deal with.”
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson, who guided the Cougars to the championship game of this year’s NCAA Tournament, agreed.
“Somebody’s gotta step up and say this is wrong,” Sampson said. “There’s nothing educational about college basketball right now. It’s all transactional.”
While Sampson is correct here, the problem for him is that he’s also being hypocritical. On Wednesday, G League center Abdullah Ahmed dropped a final three of BYU, Houston and Mississippi State. Tipton says that Houston may have the most momentum now in Ahmed’s recruitment. It would be ironic if he commits to the Cougars, given Sampson’s comments this week about the whole issue.
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