CONGRATULATIONS: Tom Izzo Receives Esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award for Unparalleled Contributions to College Basketball Following His Monumental Legacy
In a momentous and emotional ceremony held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, legendary Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his decades-long contribution to college basketball and cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
This distinguished accolade, presented by a joint committee from the NCAA, the Basketball Coaches Association of America (BCAA), and ESPN, recognized Izzo for “exceptional excellence, enduring impact, and transformative leadership on and off the court.” The 70-year-old coaching titan, who has led the Spartans since 1995, was visibly moved as former players, coaching peers, and basketball luminaries gathered to celebrate his illustrious journey.
Izzo, who announced earlier this year that the 2025-26 season would be his final one at the helm, retires as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history. With over 750 career wins, 10 Big Ten Championships, 8 Final Four appearances, and the unforgettable 2000 National Championship, his résumé is nothing short of historic.
Beyond wins and titles, what resonated most during the evening were testimonies from his former players, many of whom returned to honor the man who shaped their lives. NBA stars like Draymond Green, Mateen Cleaves, and Jaren Jackson Jr. praised Izzo’s tireless mentorship, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his unwavering integrity.
“Izzo didn’t just teach us how to play basketball,” Green said during his tribute speech. “He taught us how to be men.”
The award presentation included a heartfelt video montage narrated by Denzel Washington and an orchestral rendition of “MSU Shadows” performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. A bronze statue in Izzo’s likeness is also set to be unveiled outside the Breslin Center in October.
While Izzo’s coaching career nears its final whistle, the echoes of his legacy—defined by toughness, loyalty, and championships—will continue to resonate through the hardwood halls of East Lansing and across the world of college hoops.
Tom Izzo: More Than a Coach — A Monument to the Game.
