Video of Willie Green speaking to FOX Sports Detroit following the event
Photos from the dedication
DETROIT-- Former Titan standout and current NBA player Willie Green was honored Thursday in his hometown. The David Ellis Academy gym was dubbed the "Willie Green Center for Physical Fitness" in a ceremony celebrating his accomplishments in his journey from elementary school all the way to the NBA.
Former teammates from the former Greater Grace Christian Academy were on hand as well as Detroit Pistons TV color analyst Greg Kelser, the honorable Brenda Jones of the Detroit City Council and UDM Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Keri Gaither to congratulate Willie.
Green, who is in town as his Atlanta Hawks play the Pistons on Friday night, remained humble as two huge photos were unveiled at the gym along with a plaque commemorating the day's events.
"I worked hard to put myself in a position to be successful," Green said. "I'm just so thankful that God has allowed basketball to come into my life as a platform to reach other people."
Green was a standout as a youngster and carried that success to the high school level where he led Cooley High School to the PSL playoffs four straight seasons. As a senior, Green took them all the way to the championship game en route to being named First Team All-State and honorable mention All-America.
He went on to University of Detroit Mercy, where he took the Titans to the NIT Final Four in 2001. He left the school-- with his diploma-- in four years as the fourth-leading scorer in UDM history (1,779). Taking home Horizon League Player of the Year honors as a senior, Green was later drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft.
He has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Hornets and is currently in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks. In his ninth year in the league, Green has a reputation for being a solid all-around player. He has etched close to 5,000 career points in the NBA and is just two boards shy of 1,000 for his tenure.
Green returns to Detroit on a regular basis and hosts youth camps in his hometown in the summer.
