EAST LANSING, Mich. β September 10, 2015 β Michigan State University (MSU) announced today a historic $3.1β―million donation from NBA All-Star and former Spartan Draymond Green, who graduated in 2012. The announcement was made at a news conference held at the Breslin Center, joined by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Athletic Director Mark Hollis, and legendary head coach Tom Izzo .
Greenβs generosity marks the largest single gift to MSU Athletics ever made by a former student-athlete, surpassing earlier high-profile donations from Magic Johnson, Steve Smith, and NFL standout Flozell Adams . The contribution supports the menβs basketball program, with the primary gift allocated to the creation of an endowment aimed at scholarships and program supportβwhile roughly $1 million will fund renovations to the Jack Breslin Student Events Center, including a new strength and conditioning complex bearing Greenβs name .
βMichigan State means everything to me,β Green shared. βI grew up in Saginawβ¦Coach Izzo believed in meβ¦this donation reflects my deep appreciation to the University.β These heartfelt remarks echoed the wider sentiment held by the Spartan community.
President Simon lauded Greenβs example, stating: **βDraymond is an exemplary Spartan β¦ His gift will help our campus continue to be a vibrant community that attracts extraordinary student and faculty talent.β** Coach Izzo added that the facility named in Greenβs honor would forever connect student-athletes with his transformative journeyβan athlete who entered college out-of-shape but committed himself to become an elite player and national star . Athletic Director Hollis highlighted the ripple effect: **βWeβre so grateful he continues to be a champion for MSU. His impactful gift will ensure…tools to pursue excellence both on and off the court.β**Β Β
A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Green played four seasons under Izzo, earning multiple Big Ten titles, a Final Four appearance, and becoming one of MSUβs all-time rebounding leaders (1,096 rebounds), scorer (more than 1,500 points), and accumulating an impressive career that included 40 double-doubles and three triple-doublesβsecond in school history only to Magic Johnson . After graduation, Green became an instrumental piece of the Golden State Warriorsβ 2015 NBA Championship run, earning AllβDefensive First Team honors and ranking high in Defensive Player of the Year voting .
His generosity builds on a solid tradition of former MSU athletes reinvesting in their alma mater. His gift supports MSU Athleticsβ ambitious $262β―million “Empower Extraordinary” campaign, administered through the Spartan Fundβan effort to elevate facilities, athlete development, and academic support . More than 2,400 alums have cumulatively donated over $22 million to athletics in the campaignβs history .
As the Board of Trustees awaits final approval for the naming of the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, the announcement already sent shockwaves through East Lansing and the broader college sports world. At just 24 years old at the time, active in the NBA, Draymond Green not only contributed financially, but he also offered an inspiring model of returning value to oneβs rootsβfueling dreams for future Spartans.
In essence, Draymond Greenβs $3.1β―million gift is more than a financial milestoneβitβs a legacy that bridges athletic excellence with academic empowerment, bold ambition with humble gratitude, and reinforces the lifelong bond between Spartan alumni and the university that shaped them.
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If youβd like quotes, deeper analysis of facility upgrades, or reactions from current MSU players, Iβd be happy to add more!