Forever a Tar Heel, Danny Green, the sharpshooting guard from North Babylon, New York who won championships at multiple levels, announced his retirement as a player on Thursday. Danny retires after playing 15 seasons in the NBA and finishing with 1,577 3-pointers, the 43rd-most in NBA history.
Danny Green’s illustrious basketball career spanned over a decade and featured a diverse array of teams across the NBA and beyond. He began his professional journey in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, before briefly playing for the Erie BayHawks later that same year. Green then joined the San Antonio Spurs, where he found a significant impact on the court, playing for the Spurs from 2011 to 2018. During this period, he also had stints with the Reno Bighorns, Austin Toros, and Union Olimpija. After his successful tenure in San Antonio, Green continued his career with the Toronto Raptors for the 2018-2019 season, contributing to their championship run. He later played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019-2020 season, adding another championship to his resume. His career continued with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2020 to 2022 and then the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022-2023, before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the 76ers in 2023.
Throughout his career, Green achieved numerous accolades that solidified his reputation as a top-tier player. He is a three-time NBA champion, winning titles in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, and 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers. His defensive prowess was recognized in 2017 when he earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition to his NBA success, Green’s accolades extend beyond the league; he was a champion in the Slovenian Cup in 2011 and an NCAA champion in 2009.
His college career at the University of North Carolina saw him recognized as a Third-team All-ACC selection and a member of the ACC All-Defensive Team, both in 2009. Reflecting on his NCAA championship, Green said, “”Winning on that stage, and being able to hold that trophy up, and having your family there watching you do it, and knowing this is the top of the top, and this might be the end of it, this is the stuff I watched when I was a kid.” Green’s high school achievements included being named a McDonald’s All-American and a Second-team Parade All-American in 2005. In recognition of his contributions to the sport and community, he was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. Danny Green’s remarkable journey has been about his talent, work ethic, and lasting impact on basketball.
Shooters shoot D. Green! Salute on a crazy ride and wonderful career! HEEL PRIDE!
