EAST LANSING — Michigan State Athletics announced Wednesday that Steven Izzo and Mady Sissoko of the men’s basketball team have tested positive for COVID-19. Izzo and Sissoko are the first MSU men’s basketball players to test positive this year.

“It’s not clear where or when the two players caught COVID-19,” coach Tom Izzo said Wednesday. 

The two players room together on campus in East Lansing. Steven Izzo is the son of the head Tom, who tested positive back in November. Izzo is a sophomore walk-on who has played a total of eight minutes in five games. Sissoko is a 6-foot-9 freshman center who has appeared in 10 games this season, totaling 11 points and 20 rebounds. 

Izzo and Sissoko are required by the Big Ten to stay in isolation for 17 days before they can return to team activities. The two players will participate in the Big Ten’s required antigen testing for six days per week. The clock for the 17 days started four days ago for Izzo and Sissoko, meaning Jan. 25 is the earliest the players can return.

The Michigan State Spartans are scheduled to play at No. 5 Iowa at 9 p.m. Thursday.