Taurean Green was a guest instructor, sort of like a teacher when he appeared at a youth basketball camp at Blessed Trinity. He had a message he wanted to give out which he did, and he kept it plain and simple. “Hard Work” he said.

Green who was apart of the back to back National championship team hopes to get his second chance to play in the NBA. Green was drafted NO. 52 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007 and then was sent to the Denver Nuggets half way through the season and that was when he was cut. He then went over to Spain to play a year in the ACB league which he averaged 10.7 points per game. Now he is in Las Vegas getting ready to participate in the Chicago Bulls summer league that begins Thursday and will last until June 19.

“My goal is to make that roster”, Green said. “That’s my mindset right now. I’m doing what I have to do to get ready for summer league and be ready to produce.”

During the camp at Blessed Trinity, the kids were not the only ones who were breaking a sweat. Green also was in action. “The camp is for kids, but at the same time if I’m going to come here, I’m going to work hard” he said.

Ever since he came back from playing ball in Spain, he has been doing nothing but working his tail end off. He has been fighting through tough workouts everyday, getting him prepared for the summer where he needs to shine. Playing over seas helped him a lot. Going from playing Division I ball to the pros is not an easy thing and the ACB league really gave him a boost. Taurean worked hard over there and that’s why its going to pay off for him.

“I worked hard, but the main thing I learned was you can’t slack off for one moment. There’s always somebody trying to take your spot.” And those words from Green are absolutely true. Anybody who plays the game of basketball should take his words for advice.

Playing in Spain is a bit different from the NBA, the game play and all. But Green found a way to adjust to it and that’s why he was one of the top players in the league there. I’m really excited to see how the Bulls summer league goes this year for Taurean. It would be nice to see him with former teammate Joakim Noah on the same team.

(Quotes gathered from Ocala Star Banner; Ted Beck.)