Warriors' Draymond Green to have Michigan State No. 23 jersey retired

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When it's all said and done, Draymond Green's No. 23 Warriors jersey will hang in the rafters at Chase Center. First, he's receiving the honor for his college days. 

Michigan State University announced Monday that the Spartans will retire Green's No. 23 jersey for his days in East Lansing, Mich., on Dec. 3.

“I was absolutely blown away when Coach Izzo informed me that my jersey would be retired at Michigan State,” Green said in a statement through Michigan State.  “This is an honor that I don’t take lightly and, quite honestly, will be one of the major highlights of my career.  I am so appreciative of everyone in East Lansing, starting with Coach Izzo, who provided an opportunity for this young kid from Saginaw to achieve my dreams and laid the groundwork that has enabled me to become a champion.  It is simply awesome to think that my jersey will hang in the rafters along with the likes of Magic Johnson, Mateen Cleaves and Steve Smith, just to name a few of the iconic Spartans in our rich basketball history.”  

Coach Tom Izzo called Draymond "one of the ultimate winners in Michigan State history" as well.

Green improved every year at Michigan State. He was a bench player as a freshman but was key in the Spartans reaching the 2009 championship game. The next season he was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and was voted third-team All-Big Ten. He made third-team All-Big Ten as a junior before really becoming a star as a senior. 

The do-it-all forward averaged 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as a senior. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year and ended his career as one of three players in school history to record at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in their college career. 

Green becomes the 10th player in Michigan State history to have their jersey retired. He also will be the second Warrior to receive the honor this season, too. 

Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson will have his No. 1 Washington State jersey retired in January.

[RELATED: Draymond declares Warriors 'f---ing suck" after loss in OKC]

The Warriors play the Hawks in Atlanta one day before Draymond's jersey retirement ceremony. Expect an emotional ceremony and plenty of jokes between the three-time NBA champion and Izzo. 

That's one jersey retirement down for Green, with another very likely in the future.

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