I made the unfortunate discovery of a dude on Twitter talking about how Tom Izzo hasn’t developed a single play at Michigan State in 30 years.
The video was just four minutes of rambling nonsense, but he made some insane claims about Izzo and his inability to develop players into pros. He claimed that not even Draymond Green was developed by Izzo — insinuating that Steve Kerr did all the work, I guess?
In reality, Izzo has developed a number of elite players throughout the years.
Here’s who I believe Izzo did the best job of developing since 2010.
1. Draymond Green
How can anyone except that one guy on Twitter who said that Izzo hasn’t developed anyone believe that Draymond Green wasn’t the most developed player under the Hall of Famer?
Green came in as a three-star prospect and definitely wasn’t the highest-ranked recruit that Izzo had ever recruited but he’s had the most successful NBA career. He’s an NBA champion, All-Star, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and there’s a chance he’ll be in the Hall of Fame one day. Draymond is the definition of Izzo developed.
2. Denzel Valentine
Another Spartan who didn’t come in as the most highly-touted prospect, Denzel Valentine was a local kid whose dad played for Michigan State. Landing the legacy recruit was expected, but what Izzo did with him was impressive.
Valentine looked very raw early in his Michigan State career, but he became one of the most polished future NBA players that Izzo had ever coached.
From passing to shooting to leadership, Valentine improved in every measurable and immeasurable category during his Michigan State career and then wound up being a first-round NBA draft pick. Unfortunately, he never translated to the pros the way many thought he would after a player of the year senior season.
3. Xavier Tillman
There could be an argument made that Xavier Tillman belongs higher on this list, but I think No. 3 is the sweet spot for the former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Tillman came in like Draymond and Valentine as a Michigan-based prospect who was ranked closer to No. 100 than No. 1. He was also slightly out of shape when he got to Michigan State and then molded his body into an NBA big man prototype. Tillman went from end-of-bench big to an All-Big Ten player who had NBA scouts drooling.
I just wish he had more success in the NBA.
4. Cassius Winston
Don’t let rival fans tell you that Izzo held Cassius Winston back from being an NBA guard. He came in as a four-star recruit with limited athleticism, but he became an NBA draft pick thanks to Izzo’s coaching. Cassius is the Big Ten’s all-time leading passer and he was a two-time All-American and one-time Big Ten Player of the Year.
Cassius came in as the fourth-most touted prospect of a four-man class (maybe No. 3 ahead of Nick Ward), and became the best college player of the group, and arguably the best point guard to ever play for Izzo.
Watching a four-star recruit go from “undersized and not athletic enough” to the best point guard of the Izzo era and an NBA prospect proves that the Hall of Famer is elite at what he does.
5. Adreian Payne
The reason Adreian Payne isn’t higher on this list is because, to the casual observer, he came in as a highly-touted prospect, so it only makes sense that he was developed into an NBA player. But people who really saw how Payne’s college career went and where he came from know that Izzo worked some serious magic with the athletic big man.
Payne came to Michigan State as a blue-chip prospect and had major expectations, but he was a project. Izzo worked hard with him, learned how to understand him, and turned him into an All-American and borderline lottery pick.
Honorable mention: Travis Trice, Matt Costello, Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins, Carson Cooper, Aaron Henry, Malik Hall