DMN..Jermaine Green article..very good all around

OldTimer · December 10, 2002

No energy crisis for UNT senior

Green happy to share his enthusiasm with teammates

12/10/2002

By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News

DENTON ? It has become a pregame ritual for his teammates to huddle around North Texas forward Jermaine Green like campers around a fire on a cold night.

The slender 6-8 senior crouches and commences to flail his long limbs, emit a series of strange sounds and generally act the fool with the intention of injecting his teammates with a dose of his trademark enthusiasm.

"I'm full of energy, so I just try to give some to them," said Green, explaining that he's imitating a DJ during the routine.

"I'm not sure what he's doing ? and I'm not sure I want to know," coach Johnny Jones said with a laugh and shake of his head. "But they get excited going out, and he's the ringleader."

It's one of the many roles Green fills for the Mean Green, which has its home opener Tuesday night against TCU.

In short, he does a little bit of everything. He sees minutes at both forward spots and occasionally even shifts to shooting guard, producing regardless of position.

In three games since recovering from a sprained ankle, Green has averaged 15.3 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game. He's tied for the team-high honors in rebounding and blocked shots this season and leads UNT in steals. He ranks third in scoring and second in assists.

"I'm just getting after it, doing everything I can do to help my team win," said Green, who is also the UNT player most likely to sprawl on the floor in pursuit of a loose ball. "I don't think there's anything out there I can't do. I like to fill up the stat sheet and do some things that you can't even find on a stat sheet."

Green, who only had scholarship offers from UNT and Sacramento State after playing two season at Temple Junior College, adds to his value with his versatility. He often will play one position on offense and switch on the defensive end of the floor, allowing Jones freedom to find matchups to exploit.

On the offensive end, Green is an effective mid-range jump shooter who can blow by bigger defenders or post up smaller ones. He consistently scores in double figures, though UNT rarely runs plays for him. A hefty portion of his points come off tips and his ability to finish around the basket.

Jones routinely gives Green the most difficult defensive assignment, whether it's a wing or power forward.

Green uses his rangy frame to harass players on the perimeter, where he feels most comfortable. Though he often is at a significant weight disadvantage, the 185-pound Green excels at playing the passing lanes to prevent his man from catching the ball in the post.

"He's done it all for us," Jones said. "He's a competitor, to say the least."

TCU (3-2) at North Texas (3-2), 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, WBAP-AM 820, KWRD-FM 100.7, KNTU-FM 88.1