Before he was the heartbeat of a championship Warriors team, Draymond Green played a similar role as a Michigan State Spartan. And he was recognized as such on Tuesday when Green’s collegiate jersey – number 23 – was retired in East Lansing during halftime of the Michigan State – Duke game.
Green, in his eighth season with the Warriors, was originally the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft following a decorated college career during which he played for the legendary college basketball coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State. The Warriors’ do-it-all forward showed off that versatility during a four-year collegiate career that ended with him being the Spartans’ all-time leading rebounder (1,096). Green also ranks second in career steals (180), sixth in career blocks (117) and 18th in career scoring with 1,517 points. He finished his collegiate career just 27 assists shy of MSU career Top 10. He is one of just four players in MSU history to record a triple-double, posting three, including two in NCAA Tournament competition.
Seven years after capping a collegiate career that included playing in two Final Fours (2009 and 2010), winning three regular season Big Ten championships (2009, 2010 and 2012) and winning a Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2012, Green was back on campus to become the 10th player in Michigan State men’s basketball history to have his jersey retired.
But Green wasn't the only Warriors representative on hand for the honor. Far from it, actually. Head Coach Steve Kerr, General Manager Bob Myers and Warriors Co-Executive Chairman and CEO Joe Lacob were among those in attendance in support of a player who served as the heartbeat of a team that has reached the last five NBA Finals, winning three NBA Championships.
“When I think about what’s he’s meant to the Warriors and my coaching career, the least I can do is be there for him on a big night," Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area. "There’s not even a second thought … It’s a moment of respect. We’re honoring Draymond and showing the respect he deserves. This is one the biggest nights of his life and career. We should be there for him.”
Upon learning that a Warriors contingent would attend Tuesday’s ceremony, Green was touched.
“I’ve always talked about being a part of this organization forever,” he said. “And it’s things like [this] that make you feel that way. It’s not that you win some games. It’s not that you got paid. It’s things like [this] that make you loyal to an organization. It means a lot to me.”