Green's story is an inspirational one. He wasn't even on the team last year while rehabbing a badly torn up ankle during the Darts' 2004 state championship football run. When word came back about how badly he had hurt the ankle, Davis basketball head coach Jay Welk lowered the boom on Green and his family.
"I told him that I wasn't going to hold a spot for him on the varsity team for that season. I said that he could work out with the varsity guys in the summer (2005) after rehab and then he would have to earn his way back onto the varsity squad for his senior year (2005/2006)," Welk said.
Once he heard the news, Green took it upon himself to personally work out everyday and be prepared once that opportunity came during this year's basketball tryouts.
"I used what Coach Welk told me my junior year as motivation. I wanted to help this team this year and knew it was my senior year and last chance to contribute. I worked out a little with the varsity guys during last summer, but mostly I shot and worked on my game alone every day to get back to the point I'm at right now," Green said.
Davis has definitely reaped the benefit of having Green on the hardwood for them this season. Green currently leads the team in scoring at nearly 13 points per game and has really come on in the last month of the season for arguably the best 5-A team in the state. Just two days ago, Davis and Northridge battled in what potentially could have decided the Region 1 championship and Green chipped in 15 points while guard Nick Martineau led with 20 in Davis' 59-52 win over the Knights. In region play Green leads the Darts in scoring at 16.3 points a game so far.
A strong family supported Green while he came back from the injury. Cary Green, Brian's father, was there to help Green work out while his mother, Charla, and his three younger brothers (Eric, Kyle and Tyler) have always been there at every game to support Green.
"I think we have a pretty close family who supports each one of us. I love being the oldest of four boys in our family. My little brothers all like playing basketball and I hope it's because I've set a good example for them," Green added.
Davis has only three games remaining in conference play before the state tournament starts the first week of March. The Darts lost last week to Fremont for the first time in about a month and the loss seems to have motivated the team even more.
"We played horrible defense in that loss (to Fremont). Coach Welk has really had us working on defense lately. We know we need to work harder always on our defense, and if we play tough defense, we can beat anybody," Green continued.
Davis is enjoying one of the best basketball seasons in recent memory and Green has been a huge part of that success.
"Brian has come back to play for Davis at a high level and I'm sure glad he did. It's evident how hard he has worked to come back," Welk concluded.
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