Tom Izzo believes freshman guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. has a shot at becoming one of the best defenders to ever play at MSU.
That’s high praise considering MSU’s history on defense, but through five career starts, “Tum Tum” has shown considerable ability to stay in front of his man.
Izzo was effusive in his appreciation of “Tum Tum” during his press conference on Wednesday, saying his ball screen defense is among the best he’s seen among his players. Nairn’s wiry frame allows him to navigate ball screens in a way many players are not able to.
A good example of this was during MSU’s 59-56 win over then-No. 23 Ohio State on Feb. 14. Nairn was freshman guard D’Angelo Russell’s primary assignment and, with the help of junior guard Denzel Valentine, held the standout guard to 10 points.
“Part of it’s cause he’s small and skinny, but he’s small, skinny and strong,” Izzo said. “Those aren’t usual the normal combinations. Because he’s all three of them, I think he can slither his way through them or he can ram his way through them, but he does get over ball screens well.
“He has a very high basketball IQ. Give his high school coach credit, he really understands where he needs to be, where he should be. He studies enough film that he understands what his opponent does.”
Nairn’s personality is infectious. His energy has been noticeable on the court since he became the starting point guard four games ago, and it may not be a coincidence the Spartans are 4-0 in that span. It’s not uncommon to hear him sing in the locker room after games.
Izzo called Nairn an “energy-giver,” and his impact on the veterans has been apparent. Senior guard Travis Trice has played some of his best basketball since becoming a sixth man off the bench, and Izzo said there’s no controversy between the freshman and senior point guards.
By starting, Nairn takes pressure off of Trice, who Izzo said has the most multidimensional role on the team with his scoring, defensive and ball-handling responsibilities.
“He lights Denzel up,” Izzo said. “I think the general public, you know, wants to make the Tum-Trav thing out to be a quarterback controversy. If you knew how much time Travis Trice spent with Tum Tum the first two or three months of this season, it was incredible. I mean, and the reason he did it is because he’s such a nice kid, I think they’re roommates on the road and everything.”
Izzo finds Nairn’s dedication and genuine personality refreshing, and said he hopes the freshman guard never changes.
“He just appreciates being alive,” Izzo said. “I’ve never been around a kid that has such an appreciation. If he had a down day, I don’t know where it is. It is infectious.”
