At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked or under-recruited in some capacity, and today’s edition will highlight Derrick Green of Fayetteville Academy.
We’ve watched Green steadily progress since his middle-school days, recently stating, “After maintaining a clean bill of health over the travel ball season, we were fortunate enough to see consistent production from Green. He’s a big, strong, physically overpowering post prospect with soft touch and the ability to play above the rim. Green carves out space extremely well and is simply too strong to be contained by the vast majority of opponents. He’s a smart, polished scorer from the block, but can also space the floor if necessary. Green is an excellent two-way rebounder and doesn’t shy away from contact around the basket. If anything, he absorbs contact so well that referees struggle to properly officiate him. Defensively, he displays a strong understanding of how to protect the paint without putting himself in unfavorable positions along the perimeter. Green also outworks opponents and runs the floor hard in transition. It should be pretty obvious, but scholarship-level coaches should be involved. Expect him to have a massive year for Fayetteville Academy.”
It’s somewhat difficult to understand the lack of recruitment for a guy like Green, who could be immediately impactful for a variety of different programs. He’s an incredibly strong, physically overwhelming big man with soft hands and a reliable interior presence on both ends of the floor. Green is a quality scorer on the block, displaying a healthy arsenal of moves, counters, and instincts for finishing second-chance opportunities. He’s a great rebounder who utilizes his massive frame extremely well to clear out space around the basket. Green also consistently alters shots and runs the floor hard in transition. This season, he’s averaging 11.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.1 BPG while shooting 63% from the floor. Given his size, mentality, and two-way presence, more schools should be involved with Green.
