UCSB’s John Green
Stepping up big in the absence of the league’s reigning Player of the Year and another starter, junior John Green (Oakland, Calif./Westwind Prep Academy) led UC Santa Barbara to a pair of conference victories and earned Big West Men’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades.
The 6-5 guard averaged 18.0 points and 9.5 rebounds as the Gauchos knocked off UC Riverside (83-75) and Cal State Fullerton (68-49) at home to improve to 3-2 in Big West play.
Green’s performance helped mitigate any ill effects from the absence of Alan Williams, the Big West’s third-leading scorer (17.1 ppg) and top rebounder (11.6 rpg), who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Gauchos also played the CSF game without starter and fourth-leading scorer Gabe Vincent (9.6 ppg).
Green collected a career-high 21 points and added nine rebounds against the Highlanders, hitting 8-of-12 shots from the field including a couple of successful three-point attempts. Against the Titans, Green posted 15 points and a career-best 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. He made 7-of-13 floor shots.
For the week, Green shot 60.0 (15-of-25) percent from the field. After playing just three games over his first three seasons due to multiple foot injuries and a broken wrist, Green has played in every game this season.
“John really stepped-up for us,” said head coach Bob Williams. “We’ve always known what kind of player he can be and now he is getting the opportunity to prove it. I am so happy for him.”
