Top 20 former Michigan State Spartans to play in the NBA
By Riley Nisbet
5. Johnny Green
After three years at Michigan State, Johnny Green was selected fifth overall by the New York Knicks in the1959 NBA Draft.
At only 6-foot-5, Green played power forward. However, this smaller size allowed him a lengthy career despite being a “big man.”
Across 14 NBA seasons, Green was a four-time NBA All-Star (’62, ’63, ’65, ’71) and led the league twice in field goal percentage (1969-70 and 1970-71) and ranked in the top 20 eight times. As well, Green led the league twice in true shooting percentage, and landed in the top five four times.
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Green’s career stats come in at 11.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. However, he currently sits 57th in all-time rebounds with 9,083.
Green ended his career a 49 percent field goal shooter and averaged a double-double in seven of his 14 seasons.
The league has notably shifted from Green’s playing days, but his numbers reflect him to be a dominant player in his days. Across such a lengthy year, Green’s output never drastically faltered, making him a effective player as the league changed even throughout his tenure.