There's a tired narrative that's been going around in college basketball fan circles for years and it continues to be incorrect, especially when you consider just how good four of Tom Izzo's former players are doing in the NBA.
These circles have been running around spewing the notion that "Tom Izzo holds players back" and doesn't set them up for success in the NBA.
And yet there are guys like Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges, and Max Christie all seeing success in the league while guys like Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson, Shannon Brown, and countless others made the league after playing for Izzo and made names for themselves.
Unfortunately, one NBA draft expert seems to believe that Izzo is hurting Jase Richardson's stock because he's not "fully unleashed in a friendlier team context."
Whatever that means.
Jase Richardson's pace, feel for the game, defensive intensity and scoring efficiency give him a pretty high ceiling to grow into long-term. Some NBA scouts wonder what kind of season Richardson would be having if fully unleashed in a friendlier team context. pic.twitter.com/XhAyQKPNr2
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 12, 2025
As you could imagine, Givony was rightfully dragged in the replies by people stating that Richardson is playing some of the most under-control basketball of anyone in college hoops. He's not scoring 20-25 a night, but he is shooting over 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from the perimeter and still averaging over 10 points per game -- as a true freshman.
Richardson is getting about 23 minutes per game and is taking nearly seven shots per contest and yet there are "experts" out there who believe Izzo is "holding him back" and "not showing him a friendly team context" which makes no sense.
No one expected Richardson to have this kind of impact right away and you could argue Izzo has utilized him perfectly because he's drawing the attention of NBA scouts in year one.
In case you don't remember, Kur Teng was considered the gem of Michigan State's 2024 class but Richardson's rise can be somewhat attributed to Izzo's usage of the freshman guard.
It's time to put this tired narrative to rest for good.