Draymond Jamal Green (born March 4, 1990 in Saginaw, Michigan), is currently one of the backup forwards for the Golden State Warriors. Standing at 6’ 7” and weighing at 230 lbs, Green, a second year forward, was drafted in the second round as the 35th overall pick by Golden State.
He is known for being a solid defender with good basketball knowledge and a reliable shooter. Often times last year Green would be seen guarding one of the better players on the floor. While Green didn’t get extensive playing time last year, he had a big part in the Warriors success and even had a buzzer beater against the defending champion Miami Heat team.
High School
Green attended Saginaw High School in Saginaw, Michigan. Throughout his high school years, Green averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. As a junior and senior, Green led the Sagniaw Trojans to the Michigan Class A State Championships and took the title both years. The Sagniaw Trojans were ranked No. 4 in the nation while Green was rated as the No. 36 best player in the nation according to the ESPN 150.
Green won many accolades while in high school such as being named the captain of the Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team and earning First-team all-area and all-conference selections. Green was recruited by Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky and Indiana. Green chose to play for Tom Izzo at Michigan State and continued his promising basketball career there.
College Career
Green came off the bench in his freshman year at Michigan State and averaged 3.3 points and rebounds per game, but when the NCAA tournament came around, he improved his numbers to 8.5 points and 5.3 rounds per game. In his sophomore year, Green still came off the bench, but had a much bigger impact and won the Big Ten Conference sixth man of the year award. He averaged 9.9 points and 7.7 rebounds a game while also winning Michigan State’s Most Improved Player award.
As a junior, Green became a starter and averaged 12.6 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game. Green also won numerous awards, but is probably most known for posting his triple-double against UCLA in the NCAA tournament. He is one of only three players from Michigan State to have posted a triple-double. The others to have done so are NBA legend Magic Johnson and Charlie Bell.
In his senior season, Green was the captain of the Michigan State Spartans and helped them to a Big Ten regular season championship along with a Big Ten Tournament championship. Green averaged 16.2 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. He won NABC Division I Player of the Year and was a consensus First-Team All-American. Green also earned the Big Ten Player of the Year award and was also an All-Big Ten selection.
Green had a prolific career at Michigan State and made multiple NCAA Tournaments. He got better with each passing year and posted numbers that can be considered elite in his time there.
NBA Career
In 2012, Green was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 2nd round and soon signed a 3-year $2.6 million contract. In the past 2012-13 NBA season, Green averaged 2.9 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game. With more playing time in the postseason, Green increased his numbers to 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Green hasn’t been able to see much time, but has been crucial to the stellar Warriors bench last season. He usually comes off the bench to play small forward, but can fill-in as a stretch four at times. Green is also a strong defender and often is trusted by Coach Mark Jackson to guard opposing team’s best players.
Much has yet to be seen for the second year this upcoming season, but there is one thing that is known and that is that Green gets better with each passing year. With one solid year under his belt, Green should be seen as a reserve with a big impact for this upgraded Warriors team.
Draymond Green All-American Highlights
Draymond Green Playoff Highlights
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