Jeff Green

Green is an American forward whose NBA career has spanned 18 seasons, 11 franchises, and a remarkable comeback from open-heart surgery. Drafted fifth overall in 2007, he has evolved from a lottery pick to a veteran journeyman and champion, earning respect for his longevity and adaptability.

Born Jeffrey Lynn Green on August 28, 1986, in Cheverly, Maryland, he attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, where he led the Wildcats to the state basketball championship in 2004. He committed to Georgetown University and played three seasons for the Hoyas alongside center Roy Hibbert. In 2007, Green was named Big East Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of the Big East tournament after leading Georgetown to the Final Four. He declared for the 2007 NBA draft.

The Boston Celtics selected Green with the fifth overall pick and traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2008. In 2011, he was traded back to Boston. In 2012, he underwent successful open-heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and returned to the court later that season. He has since played for Cleveland, Washington, Orlando, Memphis, the LA Clippers, Brooklyn, Houston, and Denver.

Green won his first NBA championship as a member of the Denver Nuggets in 2023. As of 2025, he holds the record for having played with the greatest number of teammates in NBA history with 272. He is one of two active players to have played for the Seattle SuperSonics before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City.

Green is a versatile forward with the size to play both forward positions and the skill set to score inside, shoot from mid-range, and defend multiple assignments. He has adapted his game over nearly two decades, transitioning from a primary scorer to a veteran role player who provides leadership, floor spacing, and situational defense.

Green enters each season as one of the longest-tenured players in the league, with a championship ring and a record for teammates played alongside. His trajectory from a Georgetown Final Four star to a heart surgery survivor and NBA journeyman reflects resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to the game that has kept him in the league for nearly two decades.