Why Draymond Green's Michigan State Jersey Retirement Is So Special

Nine players have had their number retired by the Michigan State men's basketball program.

On Dec. 3, Draymond Green will be the 10th to receive the honored.

As you can imagine, for someone that bleeds Spartan green, Draymond was moved by the news.

"You know, obviously, growing up a Michigan State fan, being my dream school as a child, to have my name, my jersey up there with the guys who I watched growing up when they were superhuman to me," Green told NBC Sports Bay Area's Logan Murdock in Oklahoma City. "Just to actually, grow up as a kid in Saginaw with the dream of playing at Michigan State, to not only live that dream but actually excel in it to where I'll be remembered forever and my jersey will hang in the rafters and my kids will always go back to that university and see my name in the rafters, it's special.

"It's such a great program that Coach Izzo has built up over time with so many great basketball players. To be one of 10 guys to have my number retired, it's a really special accomplishment. Just being from the state of Michigan, it means a little bit more for me."

Green was in East Lansing from 2008 through the 2012 seasons, and averaged 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 145 games.

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Once Michigan State raises Green's jersey to the rafters of the Breslin Center, it will hang next to all-time greats like Magic Johnson, Steve Smith, Mateen Cleaves and Scott Skiles.

That's quite an honor for a kid who grew up an hour away from the Michigan State campus.

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