Danny Green '05

Danny Green is a former professional basketball player known for his exceptional shooting ability and strong defensive skills. As a sharpshooting guard, he helped the UNC Tarheels win an NCAA championship in his senior year and won three NBA championships with three different teams over his fifteen-year career in the league.

A Long Island native, Danny was born and raised in North Babylon and transferred to St. Mary’s in his Sophomore year. During his three seasons at St. Mary’s, he was instrumental in winning three championships. He was a star player, named All-Long Island in his final two seasons.

Danny then played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a national championship in 2009. That same year, he graduated with a degree in communications and entered the NBA. Initially playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Danny found long-term success with the San Antonio Spurs, where he became a key contributor to their 2014 NBA championship. Over his career, Green has also played for teams like the Toronto Raptors, with whom he won another NBA title in 2019, and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he claimed his third championship in 2020. Known for his role as a 3-and-D player, Green built a reputation as one of the league's top perimeter defenders and reliable shooters.

During his NBA career, Danny showed great resilience and determination in addition to raw talent and skill. “People ask me, ‘How did you learn how to become a winner? How do you become a leader?’” Green said. “And it’s the people before me, the people that have taught me, my coaches. They prepared me to be successful because, ultimately, I’m just a normal kid. I had some height, but I was not freakishly athletic. I just worked very hard, and I had the good resources around me to learn how to be professional and do things the right way.”

In 2021, Danny made a substantial gift to endow a scholarship to the University of North Carolina men's basketball program and ensure that kids like him have the same opportunity to play basketball and pursue a top-rate education.

Upon his retirement, legendary Spurs coach Greg Popovich said in a statement, ”Danny Green was a model teammate who impressed everyone with his hard work and high character. His determination and professionalism allowed him to enjoy a remarkable career, evolving into a three-time NBA Champion.” 

Off the court, Danny and his wife, Blair welcomed a baby boy, Win to their family last year. He was recently signed to a long-term broadcasting contract with ESPN. He also founded the GreenLight venture fund dedicated to empowering innovative entrepreneurs, the Between the Lines mentorship program, and The Throne basketball tournament in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association.