Louisiana Tech forward David Green commits to Rhode Island basketball
Wednesday night brought a fourth transfer commitment for the University of Rhode Island men.
Louisiana Tech forward David Green pledged to the Rams via his social media accounts. He took an official visit to Kingston over the weekend and will look to kickstart a college career that was interrupted by multiple injuries in 2022-23.
“I want to show the fans that I can bring back the winning tradition and the culture at this school,” Green said on his Twitter page. “Everything they put into me, I’m going to put back into my craft and this team.”
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Green is a 6-foot-7 lefthander who played in just six games last season due to ankle and thumb issues. He missed five of the first eight and each of the last 22 for the Bulldogs, who closed 15-18 in their first season under coach Talvin Hester. Green entered the transfer portal following a Conference USA tournament loss to North Texas and also received interest from Jacksonville State.
“These past four months have been really hard for me,” Green wrote. “It tested my faith, my patience and my endurance.”
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Green played in 34 games off the bench for the Bulldogs in 2021-22, averaging 7.4 points and 3.0 rebounds. He shot 48.6% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range while operating as a primary reserve on a 24-10 team. Green added 17 steals, 10 blocked shots and hit for double figures eight times.
Green is an Orlando area native who was recruited by a host of mid-majors out of Ocoee High and the grassroots program 1Family Hoops. He claimed offers from Atlantic 10 rival St. Bonaventure, Old Dominion, Charleston, Appalachian State, North Florida and more before committing to Hofstra. Green spent a lone season with the Pride in 2020-21 before returning closer to home.
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URI assistant coach Kenny Johnson served as the lead recruiter for Green, who could eventually apply for a blanket COVID-19 year courtesy of the NCAA and a medical waiver to replace his lost 2022-23 campaign. That could give him up to three additional seasons of eligibility with the Rams. He joins a host of newcomers set to debut in 2023-24, including fellow transfers Jaden House (High Point), Luis Kortright (Quinnipiac) and Zek Montgomery (Bradley).
URI is set to welcome eight players in all – junior college forward Tyson Brown and junior college guard Always Wright are also in the fold. The Rams will roster a pair of freshman guards in Connor Dubsky and Cam Estevez, potentially pairing the two in a future version of their backcourt. Jeremy Foumena is expected to see his first action in the frontcourt after redshirting last season.
URI is down to a final scholarship and could be a destination for Tulane transfer Tim Dalger. He listed the Rams, Bonnies and Saint Louis among his final three and is set to announce his decision on Friday. URI is looking to make some quick progress after a 9-22 debut under coach Archie Miller.
The Rams will be without several players who figure to leave through the transfer portal. Louis Hutchinson committed to Charleston Southern on Wednesday, joining former URI guard Tres Berry with the Buccaneers. Ishmael Leggett (Pittsburgh), Sebastian Thomas (Albany), Abdou Samb and Alex Tchikou aren’t expected back, and Jalen Carey – despite leaving the door open to a return – would be a surprise on next season’s roster.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Louisiana Tech forward David Green commits to RI basketball
