Dorothy Izzo: Michigan State’s Newest (and Oldest) Basketball Legend
EAST LANSING - Coen Carr might be the human highlight reel when it comes to dunking, but Michigan State’s most talked-about posterizer right now isn’t even on the roster. She’s 99 years old, lives in a retirement home in Wisconsin, and goes by “Mom” to Tom Izzo.
Yes, we’re talking about Dorothy Izzo - and her legend is growing by the day.
It all started three weeks ago during Michigan State’s win at Oregon, when TV cameras caught Tom Izzo in a huddle giving freshman guard Kur Teng a little tough love: “You can’t guard my mother.” It was classic Izzo - fiery, funny, and, as it turns out, prophetic.
Since then, Dorothy Izzo has gone viral. On Tuesday, her grandson Steven (Tom’s son and a walk-on for the Spartans) posted a photo of his grandmother standing proudly in front of a 24-by-36 inch poster filled with AI-generated images of her putting on an offensive clinic against Teng. We’re talking deep jumpers, ankle-breaking crossovers, and even a poster dunk for good measure.
Steven’s caption? “Even at 99, she’s still a bucket.”
And honestly, who’s arguing?
During his Wednesday press conference ahead of No. 10 MSU’s trip to Wisconsin (Friday, 8 p.m. on FOX), Izzo couldn’t help but smile when asked about the new decor in his mother’s retirement home in Appleton.
“That’s a hell of a poster,” he said, grinning. “When most of the people around you are 85, 95, and 100 years old - and she’s in a great place - that’s a conversation piece.
They don’t care about who her son is, they care about who she is. The stance, the dunking, the dribbling, the shooting - it’s awesome, isn’t it?
Awesome.”
And it’s not just Michigan State having fun with it. Coaches across the country have joined in on the joke, including Illinois’ Brad Underwood.
After a win over Washington on Jan. 29, Underwood was asked about the improved defense of forward Ben Humrichous.
His response?
“Last year, I’m not sure Ben could guard a dead man. Probably would give up 20 to Izzo’s mom last year.”
Izzo laughed when asked about that quote.
“My mom owes me a lot, man,” he said. “She’s famous.
She owes Kur a lot. And Kur’s been great about it.
It’s one of the things you can have fun with in this job. And it’s not insulting.
You know why? Because you’ve all been at practice.
That’s one of the cleaner things we can say about somebody.”
Izzo’s point is simple: it’s just coach-speak. Every coach has a go-to line to light a fire under a player. Whether it’s “my mom could guard you” or “my toddler boxes out better,” it’s all part of the motivational toolbox.
And to Teng’s credit, he’s responded. On Saturday, the freshman hit a clutch three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation to help push Michigan State to an 85-82 overtime win over No. 7 Illinois - a big moment in a big game.
“I’m gonna call her and say, ‘Mom, you know Kur’s shooting it better now. Maybe you couldn’t guard him today,’” Izzo said, still riding the wave of the moment.
“I talk to her every day about it. I’ll keep her humble.
I’m usually pretty good at keeping people humble.
“Although it’s a little harder when it’s your mother.”
So, while Michigan State continues its push through the Big Ten gauntlet, it turns out their newest cult hero isn’t wearing green and white - she’s just rocking a mean crossover in a retirement home, reminding everyone that buckets don’t age.
Dorothy Izzo: still a bucket at 99.