CEDAR FALLS – More than 60 youth basketball players from across the Cedar Valley area were on hand Friday afternoon learning to sharpen their skills in front of a talented group of instructors and a current NBA player.
On one basket was Iowa State assistant coach Kyle Green with a gaggle of middle-school aged shooters. Across the court was Emerson Green, who just wrapped up her career with the UNI women’s basketball program.
AJ Green Clinic 2
Cedar Falls native and Milwaukee Buck A.J. Green shares a laugh with middle schoolers during his second annual shooting clinic at Cedar Falls High School on Friday. CHRIS ZOELLER,Courier Staff Photographer
UNI alum Austin Phyfe was working with kids on another court.
In the middle of the bouncing basketballs and squeaking of sneakers is a three-year NBA veteran, and former Cedar Falls High School and UNI Panthers star, AJ Green.
This is not a celebrity appearance. At AJ Green’s Shooting Camp he is working hard.
“I’m about working with kids and teaching,” Green said in a break between the middle school session and the high school session. “I love helping people get better, figuring out how to get better.”
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AJ Green Clinic 3
Cedar Falls native and Milwaukee Buck A.J. Green huddles with middle schoolers as they break for the day during his second annual shooting clinic at Cedar Falls High School on Friday. CHRIS ZOELLER,Courier Staff Photographer
The clinic is truly a family affair. Green’s mother Michele, a former college basketball player, is also coaching alongside Dad, Kyle and little sister, Emerson.
“When you have people you love, people you have done life with, played with, whatever it may be, it creates that joy,” Green said. “It’s special to me.”
Three years ago, the former Northern Iowa star decided to forego his final season of eligibility at UNI after twice being named the Larry Bird Missouri Valley Conference player of the year and entered the 2022 NBA draft.
After going undrafted, he signed a two-way contract with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. He played in 35 games as a rookie, averaging 4.4 points and shooting .419 from the three-point line.
AJ Green Clinic 1
Cedar Falls native and Milwaukee Buck A.J. Green leads middle schoolers during his second annual shooting clinic at Cedar Falls High School on Friday. CHRIS ZOELLER,Courier Staff Photographer
After the season, the Bucks signed Green to a three-year, $6.3 million contract with $1.9 million guaranteed at signing.
This past season, Green posted his best NBA numbers to date. He played in 73 games with seven starts. He averaged 7.4 points in 22.7 minutes played. Green made 155 three-pointers this season, shooting .427 from beyond the arc.
The next season is an important one for the former Cedar Falls prep. He is scheduled to make $2.3 million in the final year of the deal. If the Bucks don’t extend him, he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Green, however, doesn’t spend much time pondering his NBA future.
AJ Green Clinic 4
Cedar Falls native and Milwaukee Buck A.J. Green inbounds to a group of middle schoolers during a drill at his second annual shooting clinic at Cedar Falls High School on Friday. CHRIS ZOELLER,Courier Staff Photographer
“I’m just going to continue to honestly just try and live by faith and trust,” Green said. “I’m not in control of what happens. I don’t know what will happen. I’m going to keep working hard and trust whatever plans the Lord has I’m just going to do the best I can.”
Besides spending time with family and friends, working the shooting clinic and hitting his favorite eating establishments in Cedar Falls, Green is keeping an eye on the NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Thunder.
The Bucks beat the Thunder in the NBA Cup Championship this season. Milwaukee faced Indiana in the NBA playoffs. In the Bucks' elimination game, Green scored 19 points and grabbed four rebounds.
While watching those two teams battle for the NBA title, Green dreams of being on that stage.
“I would love that,” Green said. “That’s why you play. To be at the highest level, to test yourself, to win. It’s fun to watch. Obviously, it would be more fun to play.”
The youth shooting clinic concludes Saturday in the same Cedar Falls gym where Green’s retired jersey hangs on the wall.
AJ Green Jersey 1
Cedar Falls alum and current Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green, along with his parents, Kyle and Michele, and his wife, Kaylee, is introduced during the retirement ceremony for his No. 4 high school jersey at Cedar Falls High School in February. CHRIS ZOELLER,Courier Staff Photographer
From Cedar Falls to the NBA, AJ Green returns home to see his jersey retired
Former Cedar Falls and UNI basketball star AJ Green, now of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, returned to Cedar Falls Friday night to see his high school jersey retired.
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