OAKLAND – Despite Golden State’s thrilling victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, basketball took a backseat in the opening minutes of Draymond Green’s post-game press conference. Green took the opening minutes to offer a statement regarding what took place at his alma mater, Michigan State University, earlier this week.
After making a name for himself as a renowned sports physician while working with America’s Olympic women gymnasts and most recently as a doctor at Michigan State, Larry Nassar was sentenced up to 175 years in prison on Wednesday when more than 150 women and girls accused him of sexual abuse over the last 20 years.
This crime and the testimonies surrounding it not only devastated those at Michigan State, but also its alumni, including Green.
“As a die-hard Spartan fan, as an alum, as a supporter I wish those effected, whether you were touched by it or broken by it or shaken by it or whatever it did to you I wish them well in their recovery,” Green said. “It touches everybody in a different way, whether you’re a supporter and it just kills your pride or you’re a victim and you’re going through the things you’re going through. I wish them well in their road to recovery.”
Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Green was drafted by the Warriors in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft after four years at Michigan Sate. As an upperclassmen from 2010-2012, Green made 63 starts and averaged 14.5 points, four assists, 9.7 rebounds, and 31.7 minutes per game.
During his time at Michigan State, Green played under long-time head coach Tom Izzo and built a relationship with football head coach Mark Dantonio.
“I offer my support to coach Dantonio and coach Izzo in their efforts to rebuild and help the victims in anyway they can. They say the true test of a man and his character is what he does during times of adversity and I know those two guys will stand up and do whatever they can to help.”
Although he was asked a follow up question on Michigan State’s leadership, but the power forward refused to further his statement.
“I look forward to helping in anyway I can. Those effected, and like I said the supporters, most importantly the victims, anyway I can help I look forward to that.”