EAST LANSING - As media arrived at the Breslin Center for a special press conference on Sept. 10, rumors went around about what it may be about. However, when Tom Izzo walked in the room with President Lou Anna K. Simon, Athletic Director Mark Hollis and NBA Champion Draymond Green, you knew it was something good.
Draymond Green recently signed an 8-year, $52 million contract with the Golden State Warriors, and was quick to share it by donating $3.1 million to the place he calls home.
“When I come back here, I don’t say I’m coming back to East Lansing, I say I’m coming home,” said Green. “It was something that I’ve always wanted to do. It was something that was super important for me to do… This was just a small way of me saying thank you.”
The gift marks the largest donation given by an athlete to the university. The money will go toward the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center at the Breslin Center, as well as towards the Empower Extraordinary campaign.
“Especially in our spot, it’s almost looked down on now to go to college… I don’t know why so many people are against college, maybe it’s because they didn't go to Michigan State,” said Green. “It’s a time of your life that you have area, a room for growth. It’s been the best thing that ever happened to me, I guess I can be a walking testimony about what college can do for you.”