Inside look at Northern Iowa Basketball junior star guard AJ Green

People early on can shape a player’s direction

Almost as impactful as those early-year memories for kids playing organized sports are those people who guide them along the way. In those formative athletic years, coaches and especially parents can play a huge role in not only how a young player develops but the enjoyment they get out of playing, which is a big reason, at least early on can be the deciding factor in whether a kid continues to play.

When I asked Green about his influencers growing up, he was quick to say that parents are the biggest influencers of all, “(For) A lot of people their parents have such a big role in growing up, the things they do and how they act, my parents are a big one for me.”

In terms of on the court, AJ remembered one coach in particular who early on had a big influence on him. He said, “One AAU coach when I played for the Gymrats, Coach Ash. He was from Cedar Rapids and he had a big influence on how I played the game.” Those people who were especially influential to Green along the way would help shape him, and by the 8th grade he began to take basketball more seriously and he would become a highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school.