Latest Tom Izzo story regarding Jaren Jackson Jr. shows how selfless he is

Tom Izzo is known to be one of the most selfless coaches in college basketball. He’s known to constantly look out for his players and want the best for them no matter what.

Sometimes wanting the best for his players means going against what’s best for him and his program in the long-term.

One story proves that more than the rest.

According to Jaren Jackson Jr. on Paul George’s Podcast (found by MLive’s Kyle Austin), the elite big man was getting ready to come back for his sophomore season but Izzo had Draymond Green call him and tell him to go to the NBA.

For all of those rival fans who claim that Izzo holds players back from trying to leave early, that really squashes that narrative. He’s one of the most selfless human beings out there.

Tom Izzo could have had No. 2

Looking at how the 2018-19 season played out, Tom Izzo could have had his second national title right there. Bringing back Cassius Winston for his junior year to go along with a junior Nick Ward, Aaron Henry, Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid, and a deep freshman class with Marcus Bingham and Gabe Brown, adding Jackson to the mix in the post would have been incredible.

That team made the Final Four and it felt like they were one 3-pointer away from making the national title game and giving Virginia a run for its money.

A sophomore Jackson Jr. would have been a legit national player of the year candidate.

What could have been.

This just goes to show just how selfless Izzo truly is.