Michigan State basketball: All-time starting 5 – From Magic to Mateen

3. F Draymond Green (2008-2012)

The most recent entrant to the starting lineup has to be Draymond Green, who has made his mark on both the college and pro game. A local product out of Saginaw High School, Green considered offers from Kentucky and Michigan before committing to Michigan State.

Green experienced immense success right out of the gate, playing key roles on the Spartans’ teams that reached consecutive Final Fours in 2009 and 2010. Michigan State basketball never quite reached the same heights in the following two years, but it wasn’t the fault of Green, who became the leader of those Spartans’ teams.

Green also started piling up individual accolades, winning the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year award as a sophomore, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and junior, and reaching the All-Big Ten first team as a senior. The conference also named Green as its Player of the Year in 2012, when he also made the Big Ten All-Defensive team and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Green also distinguished himself on the court, becoming Michigan State basketball’s all-time leading rebounder and one of just three Spartans to finish their career with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Another unique piece of history for Green involves his triple-doubles: he is just one of three Spartans to record a triple-double and one of only three players to ever record more than one triple-double in the NCAA Tournament.

Everyone with a pulse knows how Green’s pro career has gone with the Golden State Warriors, but his legend really began at Michigan State. Green could easily be the heart and soul of this all-time starting five.