NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — For the last few years when the NBA season ends RGV basketball fans have been able to look forward to a special visitor from the nearest professional team in the state.
This week, Spurs shooting guard/small forward Danny Green made his return to the area with a “community donation day” on Wednesday before he hosts his annual basketball camp today.
Green paid a surprise visit to youth at the boys and girls club in McAllen and then had a chance to sign autographs and met with the Spurs-dominated locals at The Muscle Team (TMT). He said he’s happy to bring relief and joy to fans and people affected.
“We heard about what happened with the floods, the victims and everything,” Green said. “We wanted to try to take the time out to give back to them. Give them an opportunity to brighten their day, excite them however we can do it, give them some hope and let them know that we’re here to support.”
Green who has already had a busy seven days with his 31st birthday, followed by him reportedly picking up his player option to remain with San Antonio. He’ll also make trips to Laredo, El Paso and Corpus Christi for skills camps.
The 46th pick in the 2009 draft of the Cleveland Cavaliers has spent eight of his nine NBA season with the Spurs.
“They’ve always shown a lot of love since day one, all of South Texas but the Valley especially,” Green said. “(They’re) Big Spurs fans and they don’t get to see us as much. I’ve been coming five or six years now.
He joked about the craze when he gets into town even years after his first trip to the Valley.
“It’s crazy,” Green said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the camp turns out tomorrow but every time we come here there’s a bunch of kids they get excited, they have a lot of fun. Everywhere we go they follow us and make me feel like the president, I’m really not that important.”
Jerry Leal, who owns TMT and has worked with Green in previous years, says the reason he comes down isn’t just about business or their friendship.
“Bringing somebody who stays clean and demonstrates good character on and off the court, I think that’s what’s important when bringing somebody down — that you want to spread some sort of influence or send a message to the community,” Leal said. “He’s really really involved in anything he gets his hands into. Doing things like this it’s not even a matter of “how,” it’s “when.”
Green will host a fundamental and skills camp at McAllen Rowe High from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today where campers will not just learn skills but be able to compete in contests and even a counselors vs. campers game at the conclusion of the session.