Photo courtesy of Dave’s Joint.
By David Cordova
As of late, the advent of small guards dominating games in New York has been the norm. There’s something about a speedy guard pulling out a crossover, but also one that can score in bunches and get past his defender when going to the basket. Michael Green has been one to do all of that.
The 5-foot-11 point guard from Mount St. Michael Academy in the North Bronx has been making his presence felt on the court for the last couple of years and has been very dominant against taller players. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s usually on go-mode. But then again, he can also distribute the ball to his teammates, as well.
“What motivated me is my father, he pushed me through all my years playing ball. He used to play ball himself, he’s just leaving a legacy to me,” said Green on what motivates him to be successful on the court.
On being from a place like The Bronx, he replied, “Being from The Bronx, you definitely have to have a lot of toughness, [you] have to play with a chip on your shoulder. You just have to give it your all, every time you step on the court.”
During his time at Mount St. Michael, he was one of the team’s leaders as he was a four-year starter with the Mountaineers. As a sophomore, he averaged 14 points per game. As a junior, he made the All-City Third Team. This past season, as a senior, he averaged 21.8 points per game and was the second-leading scorer in the CHSAA and also made the league’s First Team.
On his time at Mount St. Michael, he replied, “My four years at Mount, I wouldn’t ask for a better high school coach, high school team throughout the years. It was the best choice for me and it was the best decision I’ve made in my life so far.”
When it comes to his strengths, he can shoot from deep range and is also has a good IQ on the court and is a leader, as he has shown on the court in high school and on the AAU circuit with the New York Gauchos.
When asked about what can be expected of him on the court, he replied, “I play with a chip on my shoulder and perform every night on the court, especially after the big season I had at Mount, leading us to be the third seed and averaging 22 points, so it’s a chip on my shoulder that I have to have.”
On his senior season with the Mountaineers, which included entering the 1,000-point club at the school, he replied, “My senior season was by far the best season I’ve had so far, and the most fun. I committed early in the season to Bryant University and I averaged 22 points and I led us to the third seed in the CHSAA playoffs.”
Back in October, Green received his first and only offer from Bulldogs head coach Jared Grasso, and within a week, he went on a visit. Shortly thereafter, he made his decision and chose the NEC school. When asked why he chose Bryant, he replied, “What made me commit to Bryant was the coaching staff, Coach Grasso, and the rest of the coaching staff. It was the perfect opportunity for me.”
Next season, Green will be a part of a loaded recruiting class, which includes Long Island natives Charles Pride, who did a postgraduate year at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut and Jared Rivers, who transferred from Division II LIU Post. Also included in this class are other collegiate transfers Andrew Robinson (Quinnipiac University) and Hall Elsias (New Mexico Junior College).
This past season, the Bulldogs suffered through a dismal 10-20 season, but with Green & Co. entering into the fold, good times look to be coming through. And as for Green, he looks forward to a bright future with in Smithfield, Rhode Island, as he now has a Division I scholarship in hand and looks to do the same things he did at Mount St. Michael. High school is now over, and college is about to start. Look for Michael Green of The Bronx to bring the same toughness and drive to Bryant next season.
Highlights:
davesjoint.net 