In the media scrum after Saturday’s loss to Texas Tech, Tom Izzo was asked to comment on Cassius Winston, who some experts speculate could be targeted by NBA teams in the 2018 draft. Izzo declined to comment on Winston or any other player’s NBA prospects at this time.
After his incredible performance this season, leading the Spartans to a Big Ten championship, a Final Four appearance, and winning the Big Ten Player of the Year Award, many, including myself, have started to wonder what Cassius Winston’s NBA draft prospects are.
Sam Vecenie, of The Athletic, currently has Winston ranked as his 55th prospect heading in his most recent draft board. This would place him right at the end of the second round. However, with his success on a national stage, along with his undeniable offensive abilities, he is someone who could legitimately climb draft boards this summer.
The conversation around Winston’s NBA potential is compelling, because he is, without question, a fantastic college basketball player, but there are still some questions about his speed and strength translating to the professional level. So it was only natural that Tom Izzo was asked his thoughts on Cassius Winston’s potential opportunity to enter the NBA draft last night.
Tom Izzo gave a very Tom Izzo answer:
“The last thing I’m going to talk about is anybody leaving. You have the right to ask that question, and I have the right to say, I’ve got 16 guys crying in there, I’ve got a coach who feels like crap.”
This is extremely normal fare from Izzo. He is notorious for not talking about his players’ NBA prospects, and he also rarely recruits “one-and-dones,” although some players like Jaren Jackson Jr. do come through the program. Simply put, Izzo likes to coach guys who stay in school awhile and grow with the program.
This is who Tom Izzo has always been, and he gave another answer about Cassius Winston that explains why he loves his veteran players:
If you want to start speculating, Cassius Winston stepping up and being the locker room leader after this loss does not sound like somebody who is intent on leaving the team. Izzo slyly noted:
“I think he has a lot of things he’d still like to accomplish.”
