JaMychael Green named Alabama Mr. Basketball

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

April 2, 2008 – St. Jude Academy senior center JaMychael Green has been named as Mr. Basketball for 2008. Green recently held his own against the nation’s best in last week’s McDonald’s All-America game with 8 points. He combines length and toughness with a high hoops IQ and superior skill set that portends him as one of the best forwards in the country.

Green edged R.C. Hatch guard Frankie Sullivan in the closest Mr. Basketball voting since 1992 when South Lamar’s Darryl Wilson won the award over Clay County’s Lance Weems. The 6-foot-9 Green led St. Jude to the Class 1A state championship while 6-1 guard Sullivan led the R.C. Hatch to the Class 2A title. Green has signed to play with Alabama, Sullivan with Auburn.

(l.to r.) Nick Williams, JaMychael Green and Andre Steele, here at last year's NBA Players Association's Top 100 Camp, made Alabama's Player of the Year in their respective classes.

Green, also a three-time Player of the Year, scored over 2,500 points in his four-year career and led the Pirates to titles in 2006 and 2008. Recently selected the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, he will also play in the Michael Jordan Classic.

The other players of the year class winners were:

Class 2A: Frankie Sullivan of R.C. Hatch.
Class 3A: Kerron Johnson of Madison Academy.
Class 4A: Coutney Mack of Bullock County.
Class 5A: Andrew Steele of John Carroll.
Class 6A: Nick Williams of LeFlore.