Josh Green becomes first Australian since Ben Simmons to be McDonald’s All-American
Basketball prodigy Josh Green is treading the same path as compatriot Ben Simmons, becoming the first Australian since the NBA star to be named a McDonald’s All American among the best high school players in the USA.
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From a potential AFL career with the GWS Giants to moving a step closer to the NBA — the sporting journey of Sydney schoolboy Josh Green continues to grow.
On Friday, Green became the first Australian since Philadelphia star Ben Simmons to be chosen in the McDonald’s All-American high school game.
The 18-year-old guard’s selection came only days after he moved up to No.7 in ESPN’s 2019 college recruiting rankings.
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Green is currently playing high school basketball for IMG Academy in Florida but will go to college later this year to play for the University Arizona Wildcats.
Green is averaging 15.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals a game for America’s third-ranked team.
The former King’s School student, who represented the NSW under 16 team at age 13 in 2004, is considered one of the best young ballers in the States.
Green’s rapid rise in basketball is remarkable when you consider it was only five years ago when he accepted a development academy position with the Giants.
He had every intention of committing, but he was forced to quit in 2014 when his family relocated to Phoenix in order for the children to focus on basketball.
Now Green has his sights set on joining fellow Australians like Joe Ingles, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova in the NBA.
He is also determined to don the green and gold.
“My goal is to represent Australia and show up-and-coming kids that anything is possible,” Green told ESPN.com.
“I never thought I would have the opportunities I have now, so I just want to make sure I take everything the right way and make the most of the opportunities that have been given to me.”
Green represented Australia at the NBA Basketball Without Borders camp in Los Angeles and the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy last year.
He also competed at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, where he played as a member of Team World against Team USA.
Green was thrilled to represent Australia. He was poised to make his Boomers debut during the World Cup qualifiers in Melbourne late last year until a shoulder injury denied him a maiden appearance.
“It means a lot, just looking down and having ‘Australia’ on my chest,” he said.
“It’s who I am and where I’m from. I’ve been in America for the last four years of my life, but I’m still all-in for Australia.”
Green’s father, Delmas, and mother, Cahla, played professionally in Australia.
Older brother Jay plays at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas while young brother Ky is a rising recruit in the Class of 2023.
The McDonald’s All-American high school game will be played on March 28 in Atlanta at State Farm Arena.
Originally published as Josh Green becomes first Australian since Ben Simmons to be McDonald’s All-American
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