Draymond Green Visits Alma Mater Michigan State For “Grind Week"
Draymond Green hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Growing up in Saginaw, Michigan, he rooted for both the men’s and women’s Michigan State basketball programs and eventually played there, helping the Spartans reach two Final Fours. Since joining the Warriors, he has remained active in his support. He cheers on various MSU athletic teams, serves as an ambassador for potential recruits and made a multi-million dollar donation to cover the cost of a new weight room in 2015. It’s clear that he is highly appreciative of the ways in which MSU changed his life and wants to remain connected to the school.
The latest instance of his ties to East Lansing came this past week when he returned to the MSU campus to participate in “Spartan Grind Week,” a particularly intense week of practice for Tom Izzo’s team. Green was accompanied by a number of other former MSU players, including Denzel Valentine, Jaren Jackson and Bryn Forbes.
It would have been very easy for Green and the rest of the ex-Spartans to simply stand on the sidelines and offer encouragement, but that is simply not the way of operating for Green, Izzo and the MSU program in general. Green and the other former players participated in drills, workouts, weightlifting sessions and scrimmages throughout the week, working just as hard as the current Spartans did.
Unsurprisingly, Green’s presence as an accomplished NBA veteran was recognized with respect by the MSU players. He could at times be seen coaching the players and giving them pointers. He later sat down with the rest of the Spartan alums for a conversation about their time at MSU.
Green also got some downtime to simply enjoy being back on campus as well, taking in a football game at Spartan Stadium. He and many of the other former MSU players joined the current basketball team as they were recognized on the field during a timeout.
It is well known by now that Draymond Green cares deeply about his upbringing. This obviously includes a focus on his childhood in Saginaw, but it is important to remember that MSU is a place where he learned how to be a better basketball player, a better person and a harder worker. His actions in the past show it, and now his actions over the past week while visiting his old stomping grounds can serve as another indication.