East Lansing, Michigan (CNN) — Seconds after getting crossed up by Jase Richardson during an October 2024 practice, Jeremy Fears, Jr. responded by dishing a hard foul to the then-freshman Michigan State guard.
Watching at the half-court line, Tom Izzo lost his marbles. Spewing invectives at Fears, he pointed to the exits and told his starting point guard to get out. Fears tried to plead his case, but his teammates intervened and Jaden Akins and Carson Cooper told Fears to let it go and just leave.
Fears reluctantly walked off the court and practice went on without him. Maybe an hour later, as practice drew to a close, the gym side door opened and Fears walked in. He quietly took a seat in a folding chair and waited. After Izzo excused his players and chatted with a few visitors, he walked over and took a seat next to Fears. The two talked for more than 10 minutes, taking turns gesturing pointedly…