Junior forward Green ready for shot at bigger role with UNLV

By Taylor Bern

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Tyrell Green figured there was more he could do. Early this season the junior forward was at the end of UNLV’s bench with no guaranteed playing time, so he faced the prospect of taking a redshirt season.

But part of the reason that Green, a transfer from Hill College, a junior college in Texas, chose UNLV over Colorado State in the first place was what he thought this team could accomplish this season. And no matter how big or small his role, that’s something Green wants to be a part of it.

“It looked like we could do something really special for the town and for the school. That’s what I want to do. I’m a winner,” Green said. “… I like to compete, too, at a high level. I knew coming in that there’d be a lot of talent and a lot of guys competing every day. That’s what I want in order to get me better.”

Green saw his first significant minutes and scored his first career points at UNLV in Saturday’s victory against Prairie View A&M. It’s unclear exactly where he’ll fit in, but UNLV coach Dave Rice is confident that no matter how much Green plays he’ll be satisfied helping the team.

“He will accept whatever minutes he gets. He’ll go to practice every day and work hard, he’ll help the team and from a specific standpoint he’ll make shots, he’ll move the ball on offense and he’ll defensive rebound,” Rice said. “He’ll do whatever it takes.”

Known for his 3-point shooting, Green has worked to fill the defensive and rebounding roles the Rebels want from their frontcourt. Basically, he’s been trying to do anything that could get him on the court sooner than later.

“I thought maybe I have to change something, so I tried to change my practice habits, working harder and doing all the little things and all that,” Green said. “… Coaches told me to just trust the process and I believed in them.”

Green’s decision on a redshirt might have been moot, anyways, following sophomore forward Goodluck Okonoboh’s departure. What helps is that Green was already trying to form himself to the role coaches wanted, and now he has a better chance to put that to use.

Okonoboh started 29 games as a freshman, and going from 26.7 minutes per game to an average of 13.3 in UNLV’s first four games against Division I competition wasn’t enough for him. While Green might not average 10 minutes per game this year, whatever he gets will be fine with him.

“When he’s not in the game he’ll cheer, and when he’s in the game he’ll make team plays,” Rice said. “He’s absolutely the perfect team player, the perfect guy to complement our other guys.”

For reasons out of his control, Green has a bigger opportunity today than he did last week, and for reasons he can control he expects to be ready when those increased chances come his way.

“I’ve just got to continue to do it, to not get complacent with where I’m at,” he said. “Just try to do better and make sure that we as a team do better because that’s what it’s all about.”

UNLV associate head coach Todd Simon first reached out to Green, a Toronto native, through CIA Bounce coach Tony McIntyre. That’s the same program that produced former Canadian Rebel Anthony Bennett and freshman Jalen Poyser, another bench player who could see a slight uptick in minutes from Okonoboh’s absence.

Multiple players have expressed disappointment or sadness in Okonoboh’s departure. That doesn’t mean they’re dwelling on it, though.

Transfers happen, just ask Ben Carter or Jerome Seagears. Or Green.

Over two seasons at Hill College, Green hit 48.4 percent behind the 3-point line. As a senior he went 95-of-200 beyond the arc and his team reached the semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament.

Colorado State could have offered more playing time, but Green wanted to apply his stroke to a team with a chance to do something great. Now he has a chance to be a bigger part of that something.

“It’s an opportunity now for me to come in and show everyone what I can do, things that people probably didn’t think I could,” Green said. “I’m excited for it.”

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.