With Nike providing uniforms and shoes for his Montgomery high school, JaMychal Green got home from school one day and found five boxes of basketball shoes.
“I was real excited. I started to jump around and I hit my head in the ceiling underneath the doorway and I just blacked out,” Green said.
Now the owner of about 100 pairs of shoes, Green still loves sneakers.
And the 6-foot-9-inch power forward has had big shoes to fill this season for the Memphis Grizzlies. Green led the Grizzlies in games played, 78 of the 82 regular-season contests. He has been a constant in a season where injuries and trades have made Memphis’ roster consist of 28 different players, an NBA record.
For the former University of Alabama (UA) player, being in the NBA is a dream come true.
“Being here is my biggest blessing. I just soak it in and take it a day at a time and thank God every day. Without God none of this would be possible. If it were not for Jesus, a lot of things in my life that are happening, a lot of blessings, would not happen,” Green said.
“Jesus means the world to me. I have always needed Jesus. Throughout my whole life, through the ups and downs, God was always by my side.”
Green’s high school career at St. Jude Educational Institute in Montgomery was award-winning. With a high school career of more than 2,500 points, he led St. Jude to Class A state championships in 2006 and 2008. He was Alabama’s Mr. Basketball in 2008, the same year ESPN ranked him the No. 1 power forward nationally.
Getting to the NBA
Wanting “to carry” UA to be both “a basketball and football school,” Green stayed in-state. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and was first-team All-SEC in 2011.
Waived by San Antonio twice and the Los Angeles Clippers, Green, undrafted out of college, began to change his work ethic while in the D-League.
“I had to lock in and really focus on improving my game and getting better and (change) my attitude. It (NBA) is a tough league. A lot of things won’t go your way. You have to learn how to fight through adversity,” he said.
“I have had plenty of obstacles. … I know when things are going bad there is always going to be a brighter day. Something good is going to come your way. You have to be strong.”
A 10-day contract in February 2015 began Green’s affiliation with Memphis. He has had more than 20 games with 10-plus points during the 2015–16 season.
Green, 25, meets the challenges of the NBA through prayer.
“I leave it in God’s hands. I ask Him to lead and guide me and show me the way. I believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason. I try to stay close to God, read my Scriptures, get a better understanding and just pray and talk to Him.”
His father, mother and sister each regularly send Scripture verses to encourage him. At UA, he wrote Scripture on his shoes.
They, along with his grandmother, are spiritual role models, he said.
Green was baptized at Bell Resurrected Baptist Church, Montgomery, when he was “5 or 6.” His mother is an associate minister at the church and his father teaches Sunday School and is a deacon and Sunday School supervisor.
Green said, “I thank [my family] for keeping me in the Word. I have a great support system (including) my aunties and uncles. … Whenever I am down, they always have Scriptures and prayer for me. That takes me a long way.”
Philippians 4:13 is his favorite verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Vince Carter, Memphis guard/forward, said Green’s willingness to learn and his high intensity are vital to the team.
“He is a very humble guy. He has an appreciation for the game. That is something I really like about him. A lot of younger guys feel privileged when they step into this league. I don’t think he was privileged. He had to fight and earn his way in the league. A guy like that is willing to sacrifice … for the good of the team,” Carter said.
“At the same time, he plays hard enough and is willing to do anything for the team. He has definitely earned the minutes and success he has had.”
Green’s key to success is keeping God first, he said.
“I am not a perfect person. Everyone sins. I still sin. I am trying my best every day to get closer to God, to try to better myself. I never lose faith. You have got to have faith dealing with God. You have got to believe in God. If you don’t, your blessings will go away. A lot of things wouldn’t be possible without Him.”
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