JaMychal Green Takes His Game to the Next Level

Ivan McDowell
Southeast/Mid-South Editor

September 20, 2006 - Standing 6-foot-7, 200-pounds, '08 forward JaMychal Green was relatively unknown before the AAU season began, although he won a state championship at Class 1A St. Jude Academy in Montgomery. I witnessed Green’s ability and potential on the summer circuit at the Memorial Day Classic and the Nike Peach Jam Invitational. Many of the nation’s top programs took notice as well.

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Marquette, Duke, UConn, Oklahoma State, Texas, Kansas, Kansas State, and Cincinnati fill a long list of schools recruiting him, but there is no leader, according to Green. If there is one team that may have an edge it probably would be Marquette, where JaMychal’s favorite NBA player, Dwayne Wade, toiled on the hardwood.

Green will attempt to lead St. Jude Academy to another 1A Alabama State Championship. (picture courtesy of Scout.com)

The Golden Eagles have also already secured a verbal from JaMychal’s good friend and Alabama Challenge (AAU) teammate Nick Williams, a 6’5 guard from LeFlore High in Mobile.

“Yeah, Nick is my boy and he keeps telling me about Marquette”, stated Green who performed well all summer, especially at the Nike Peach Jam.

“I like them along with all the other schools recruiting me, but I don’t have a leader yet.”

JaMychal is a long and athletic combo forward, who at this point is a run-jump athlete with a high proclivity for rebounding the basketball. Green averaged a whopping 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocks in his way to being named the Class 1A Player of the Year in Alabama last year. He improved those numbers in the championship game, torching Section High for 29 points and 16 boards.

JaMychal also possesses a developing jumper and improving handles that, if he continues to progress, will make him virtually unstoppable both inside and out.

“My coaches had me working on those two parts of my game all summer and it’s beginning to pay off” he said. Right now, JaMychal is able to simply out-athlete most of his competition.

Alabama Challenge opponents found out just how good Green was at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC, back in July. JaMychal played for both the 17 and 16 and under squads, with the 16’s finishing as the tournament runner-up.

JaMychal averaged 8.2 boards a game during the Challenge’s run to the finals and had 22 points, 7 rebounds versus Boo Williams in the semifinals. Green didn’t play as well versus the 17’s, which was a good barometer on where his game needs to be to play against the best.

Offensively, he's at his most effective in transition, as are most ball players at this point in their basketball careers, and he finishes extremely well, even in traffic. Green can post also, if necessary.

Defensively, he is a jumping jack who rebounds well from the weak side. Added muscle development and strength are necessary to continue his rapid improvement and to play at a high division one level.