Erick Green Has a Solid NBA Debut for the Denver Nuggets
By Tim Thomas
Oct 10, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ennis (4) guards Denver Nuggets guard Erick Green (11) during the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns won the game 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The 2012-2013 season was a painful season for the Virginia Tech Hokies with a roster that did not have much talent on it. Unsurprisingly, the Hokies finished last in the ACC in what would be foreshadowing of last season when Virginia Tech once again finished in the ACC’s cellar.
However, the Hokies were not completely irrelevant during the 2012-2013 season because of the play of star point guard Erick Green. Green was phenominal in his senior season in which he averaged 25.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc, 50.9% overall, and 81.8% from the free throw line.
Green was terrific in his senior season and his 25 points per game led the whole nation in scoring that season. Green’s impressive senior season led him to being Co-ACC Player of the Year alongside former Miami point guard Shane Larkin. Green was also an AP Third Team All-American and First Team All-ACC member.
Green’s strong senior season led to him being drafted 46th overall in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz who traded him to the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets did not have much of a need for Green last season so he signed with a team in Italy and averaged just 11.1 points in 24.4 minutes per game.
Now, Green has gotten his chance in the NBA after signing a contract with the Nuggets this past offseason. After playing a lot in the preseason, Green finally got his chance to make his NBA debut last night on ESPN against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Green played 9 minutes and was productive as he was 3 for 3 from the field with 6 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Green could definitely be a 5 to 10 minute guy regularly for the Nuggets and gives the Hokies an active player in the NBA once again.
Congrats to Erick Green on his first of what will be many NBA games.