Michigan State basketball: Draymond Green joining legends in rafters

Michigan State basketball has announced that it will be retiring Draymond Green’s jersey on Dec. 3 when Duke comes to the Breslin Center.

It’s been a while since Michigan State basketball sent a jersey into the rafters at the Breslin Center. In fact, Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves were the last two Spartans to have their jerseys retired as they both played until 2000, but no other Spartans under Tom Izzo have seen the same fate.

There hasn’t been a huge push to get others retired, but some names that have come up in the past are Jason Richardson, Charlie Bell, Kalin Lucas and even Denzel Valentine. Heck, Cassius Winston could soon join those ranks.

But Michigan State has plans to add another name to the rafters this season with the retirement of Draymond Green’s jersey on Dec. 3 with Duke coming to town.

The No. 23 jersey retirement is interesting given that Richardson, too, could have see the same fate, but it makes plenty of sense. Green is one of the most celebrated Spartans in school history, was a national player of the year, led the Spartans to a Sweet 16 in his senior season, which was actually disappointing, but was on two Final Four teams at MSU and three Sweet 16 squads.

Green has also donated millions to Michigan State and is extremely close to the program years after graduating and playing in the NBA.

Winning the NBA title hasn’t hurt matters, either, as well as winning the league’s defensive player of the year award and being talked about as one of the most versatile players in the professional ranks.

It’s awesome to see such an honor headed Draymond’s way after everything he’s given and done for Michigan State.

You can bet that Duke game will be the hottest ticket in town, as if it wasn’t already.