Celtics assign top draft pick Green to Fayetteville
January 7, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
BOSTON, January 6 - The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has assigned Gerald Green to the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA Development League.
"Gerald's development remains one of our top priorities," said Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. "He's progressing just as we expected, and we think this is a step in the right direction. With our upcoming schedule allowing limited practice time, this allows Gerald more of an opportunity to continue developing his game."
Green, a 6-8, 200-pound forward, was selected by the Celtics 18th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft, coming out of Gulf Shores Academy in Houston, Texas. As a senior, Green averaged 33.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game on his way to being a two-time All-State selection. In his junior season he led Gulf Shores to a 39-2 record as he averaged 28.8points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game.
Green was named to the 2005 McDonald's All-American Team where he won the Slam Dunk Contest and scored 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 6-for-9 from three-point range. He was named MVP of the Reebok ABCD All-Star Camp in the summer of 2004.
Although the Celtics are affiliated with the D-League's Florida Flame, the Flame has already been assigned four NBA players, all of whom are still on the roster. Two of those players, Dorell Wright and Bracey Wright, play the same position as Gerald Green and both players would directly affect Green's integration onto the team and, more importantly, his D-League development and playing time.
Fayetteville's affiliated teams are the Charlotte Bobcats, the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, none of which have assigned a player to the Patriots this season. The NBA's assignment rules allow the league to adjust assignments for development situations like this one.
"Gerald is going down there with the right attitude," Ainge told the Boston Globe Friday night. "It's not a demotion. You go down there, earn your minutes, and prove you belong."
Green has only dressed for one game with Boston, and he didn't play in that game. But Patriots coach Mike Brown said that doesn't mean he can't play.
"I saw him during the summer league last year and he's a fantastic athlete," Brown said. "He won't do anything but help with that type of athleticism. Hell bring points, and he'll definitely be a fan favorite because he's a high-flyer with a lot dunks.
"It's an opportunity for him to get some minutes, and he may learn some things from some of our guys that have spent time in the NBA like Norm Richardson, Erik Daniels and Kaniel Dickson. We're looking forward to having him and I understand he's looking forward to being here. I mean, you're coming out of high school, you're on a NBA roster and you're getting minutes on the floor. What else could a young man ask for?"
Green will report to Fayetteville on Monday, January 9 and is expected to play his first game with the Patriots on Sunday, January 15 on the opening day of the MLK Showcase against the Florida Flame at the Crown Coliseum.
Green is the 14th NBA player to be assigned to a D-League affiliate this season.
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