Izzo Says Cleaves, Other 'Flintstones', Should Help In Flint Amid Water Crisis
EAST LANSING (CBS Detroit) - Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo can be added to the list of those concerned about the welfare of the citizens of Flint.
Touching on the water crisis in his weekly media address Monday night, Izzo suggested several former basketball stars that hail from the city — including members of his legendary "Flintstones" championship team — are in a unique position to help their hometown.
"I do feel that way," Izzo said. "I told those guys, I mean, they should be involved from the Cleaveses to the Glen Rices — those guys should find a way to get everybody back pushing and fighting in the right direction to help whatever needs to be helped."
Izzo built his program with the help of the "Flintstones," including Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Antonio Smith and Charlie Bell, whom he recruited from the city of Flint.
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The city's water is currently undrinkable after it became contaminated when Flint switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes.
"I just feel awful about whats going on out there. I have no idea on all the circumstances to everything, but it's not about our team going up there and handing out water and getting the media," Izzo said. "It's about a way bigger problem than that."