MSU basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo and former Spartan and current Golden State Warrior forward Draymond Green look out at the crowd during the game against Oregon on Sept. 12, 2015 at Spartan Stadium. Green was recognized for his recent donation to the Spartan basketball program. (Alice Kole | The State News)
Michigan State's Xavier Tillman has worn No. 23 in all three seasons he has been a Spartan. But that may be quickly coming to an end.
Tom Izzo announced on Monday afternoon that Michigan State will retire the jersey of former Spartans and current Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green on Dec. 3 — the night when the Spartans host Duke in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
“We tried to do it last year but we were unable to. Draymond has been a special player, both as a person, his toughness, that he’s kind of let us realize what we need here and that a tough player with an incredibly high basketball IQ," Izzo said. "You kind of see it separate even more now that he’s been in the NBA with what he’s done and what he’s accomplished. He was part of two Final Fours here, almost part of three."
"He’s been part of three world championships and playing for another one. It’s well documented that Draymond almost didn’t come here. He was going to go to Kentucky. But what he did has been a goal to someday play in the NBA and he was able to accomplish that here," Izzo said.
Green, a four-star forward out of Saginaw, Michigan, played in 145 games for Michigan State from 2008-2012, and averaged 10.5 points per game. Each season in East Lansing, he increased his scoring total — starting at 3.3 points per game as a freshman, 9.9 as a sophomore, 12.6 as a junior and 16.2 during his senior year.
Green was named the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year, as well as a consensus First-Team All-American and the NABC National Player of the Year before getting drafted in the second round, 35th overall, by the Warriors in the 2012 NBA Draft, where he has spent his entire NBA career.
“He’s a guy that always made other people better. I think that is what our program is," Izzo said. He’s given me personally, so much. The phone calls, the talks, the time out there. It's been one of those relationships that is second-to-none to me. To hoist his banner up there will be a special night.”
Green will be the 10th player in Spartan basketball history to have his number retired — joining Scott Skiles, Mateen Cleaves, Steve Smith, Johnny Green, Shawn Respert, Jay Vincent, Greg Kelser, Magic Johnson and Morris Peterson.
And going back to Tillman's jersey change, Izzo said that it will be conversation that will have to happen, but he won't be the one to bring it up to his former player.
"I’m going to have Xavier ask him. I’m not asking him," Izzo said. "But I’m sure it will work out one way or another.”
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