MSU Men’s Basketball Receives $3.1 Million Gift from Draymond Green

The Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center will be named after Spartan great.

September 10, 2015

Continuing on the extraordinary tradition of former Michigan State student-athletes giving back, Draymond Green has made a $3.1 million contribution to MSU Athletics in support of the men’s basketball program.  With his gift, pending Board of Trustee approval, The Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center will be named in his honor.  In addition, a portion of Green’s gift will fund an endowment for the program.

Green’s gift will continue fundraising efforts led by the Spartan Fund for MSU Athletics’ $262 million goal as part of Empower Extraordinary, the campaign for Michigan State.   The gift is the largest single gift to MSU Athletics from a former student-athlete.  It is the fourth gift given to MSU Athletics of $1 million or more by a former MSU student-athlete turned professional, following Steve Smith (’99), Earvin “Magic” Johnson (’12), and Flozell Adams (’14).  Overall, more than 2,400 former MSU student-athletes have donated over $22 million (all-time) in philanthropic support back to MSU Athletics.

“Draymond is an exemplary Spartan and we thank him for his contributions to ‘Team MSU’ as a student-athlete leader and now as a philanthropist," MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said. "His gift will help our campus continue to be a vibrant community that attracts extraordinary student and faculty talent.”

Draymond Green, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, is a 4-year letterwinner in men’s basketball at MSU and graduated in 2012 with a Communication Arts & Sciences degree.  Green, entering his fourth NBA season, helped guide the Golden State Warriors to the 2015 NBA Championship, while earning first-team NBA All-Defensive Team honors and finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

"Michigan State means everything to me. I grew up in Saginaw and was lucky enough to attend Michigan State University where Coach Izzo believed in me and gave me the chance to succeed. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my Spartan experience and this donation reflects my deep appreciation to the University.  This donation isn’t just about me. I want more kids to have the opportunities I had thanks to Michigan State and want to use this to stimulate all Spartans to give back to the best university in the world." – Draymond Green

 “I’m so proud of Draymond. From his time as a student-athlete, he was always thinking of people other than himself – that’s part of the reason he was so successful.

“I believe it’s only fitting that his name be on the weight room. He would be the first to admit that he was out of shape when he stepped on campus as a freshman. But through extraordinary commitment and effort, he transformed himself into a national player of the year. By walking into the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, our student-athletes are going to be reminded each day of his story and how, if they make the commitment to excellence, they too can live their dreams here at MSU.” – Tom Izzo

“Draymond has been an extraordinary champion all throughout his career - a two-time Michigan High School basketball champion, a three-time Big Ten champion, and recently a NBA champion.  We’re so grateful he continues to be a champion for MSU.  His impactful gift will ensure that we’re able to provide Spartan student-athletes now and in the future the tools to pursue excellence both on and off the court” – Mark Hollis

The Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center is part of a comprehensive renovation to the Jack Breslin Student Events Center that includes a Hall of History, a NBA/Alumni locker room, and a recruiting lounge.  Fundraising efforts specific to the renovation began with a gift from Bob and Julie Skandalaris.

Green’s honors and stats while at MSU include:

2012 NABC National Player of the Year and Consensus First-Team All-American

Michigan State's leading career rebounder (1,096 rebounds)

One of three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points (1,517 points) and 1,000 career rebounds

Ranks fourth in MSU career blocks (117) and second in steals (180)

80 career double-figure scoring games and 50 career double-figure rebounding efforts

40 career double-doubles and three career triple-doubles (ranking second in MSU history only to Earvin "Magic" Johnson)

During his career, he led MSU in scoring in 31 games, in rebounding in 78 games, and in assists in 45 games

For more information on MSU Athletics and the Empower Extraordinary campaign, please visit Spartan Fund.

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