Utah State adds a backcourter for down the road

We love this kid, despite the limitations his size and athletic ability presents. Still it's surprising that Stew Morrill would get involved with a kid who won't be available until a couple of (non-basketball playing) years from now but maybe that's a testament to Brian Green's character. Green also played prep football, as a quarterback, naturally.

From the USU athletic site::

Brian Green Signs National Letter Of Intent With Utah State
Green averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Salt Lake Community College.
May 2, 2008

LOGAN, UTh - Utah State head men's basketball coach Stew Morrill announced Friday that Brian Green (Fruit Heights, Utah) has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Aggies beginning in the 2010-2011 season. The 5-11, 170-pound guard just completed his sophomore season at Salt Lake Community College in Utah and will serve a two-year LDS Church Mission before enrolling at USU.

"Brian Green is a tough, hard-nosed competitor who is used to winning and expects to win, and we are delighted that he has decided to join our program," said Morrill. "He had two very good years at Salt Lake Community College and I am certain he will have two very successful years at the Division I level when he returns from his mission.

"He is all about team, his attitude is contagious and coaches love to coach players like Brian. His abilities, along with all the intangibles he brings to the table, are a great combination and we are happy that he is now an Aggie!"

As a sophomore at Salt Lake Community College, Green averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game as he helped lead the Bruins to a 32-4 record and an appearance in the championship game of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament. He finished the season shooting 48.1 percent from the field (186-387), 47.2 percent from three-point range (93-197) and 89.8 percent from the free throw line (44-49), while scoring in double-figures 25 times. He also had seven 20-point games during the year including a career-high 31 points against Northeastern JC as he was 10-of-15 from the field, 6-of-8 from three-point range and 5-of-5 from the free throw line.

"Utah State has been really good for a long time and I am excited to be a part of that winning tradition," said Green. "I wanted to play at Utah State because the system they run will fit my game well. I also really trust the coaches and I am excited to get the opportunity to play in the Spectrum."

Green, who was named a preseason NJCAA All-American prior to his sophomore season, earned first-team all-region honors this past year and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Region 18 Tournament. He was also named to the NJCAA all-tournament team as well as receiving the Bud Obee Award which is given to the best player under 6-0 in the national tournament.

As a freshman at Salt Lake Community College, Green earned second-team all-region honors as he averaged 13.9 points and 2.8 assists per game and shot 51.5 percent from the field (169-328), 41.2 percent from three-point range (75-182) and 80.4 percent from the free throw line (45-56). He scored in double-figures 29 times during the 2006-07 season and had five 20-point games.

"Brian was as tough of a player as there was in our league this year and he is also a very good shooter," said Salt Lake Community College head coach Norm Parrish. "He is a system guy and should flourish at Utah State with how they get kids open and the way he can hit shots."

Green prepped at Davis High School in Utah and averaged approximately 17 points per game during his senior season as he led his team to a region championship and the semifinals of the state tournament. As a prep senior, he was named a first-team all-state selection by both the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News and was also named the most valuable player of his conference.