THIS NEW WEEK: Michigan State great donates $3.1 million to hoops program.see more details.
It turns out this is actually a flashback—not current-week news. The headline refers to September 14, 2015, when Michigan State alum Draymond Green made a historic donation to his alma mater’s basketball program. So let’s dive into the details 📚
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🏀 Who is the donor?
Draymond Green, an NBA star and former Michigan State standout, rose from a role player to National Player of the Year during his senior season (2012). He went on to become a core member of multiple Golden State Warriors championship teams.
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📅 When & what happened?
On September 14, 2015, Green donated $3.1 million to Michigan State University Athletics—the largest gift ever from an MSU alumnus-athlete at that time.
As a result, the strength and conditioning center at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center was named the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, pending MSU Board approval.
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💸 Why $3.1 million—what’s included?
The gift funded a state-of-the-art strength & conditioning facility.
A portion of it was put into an endowment to support the basketball program long-term.
It played a key role in MSU’s Empower Extraordinary campaign, a broader athletics fundraising campaign with a $262 million goal.
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🏆 Context & impact
Largest single donation from a former student-athlete at MSU at the time—surpassing contributions from Steve Smith, Magic Johnson, and Flozell Adams.
MSU President Lou Anna Simon praised Green as “an exemplary Spartan,” noting how the gift will help attract talent and enhance campus pride.
Coach Tom Izzo emphasized how the center, bearing Green’s name, would inspire current and future spartan athletes—a daily reminder of what dedication can achieve.
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🧩 Draymond Green’s Spartan résumé
During his four-year tenure at MSU, Green:
Became NABC National Player of the Year (2012) and earned Consensus First-Team All-American.
Amassed 1,517 points and 1,096 rebounds, ranking him among only three Spartans in MSU history—with over 1,000 in both categories.
Recorded 40 double-doubles, three triple-doubles, and ranked second in career steals (180), fourth in blocks (117).
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🎙️ Around the time
The Breslin Center was undergoing a $28 million renovation, which included updated facilities for players, recruits, and alumni. Green’s gift was instrumental in expanding this vision.
MSU men’s basketball was already a national powerhouse under Coach Izzo, and this donation added to the campaign’s momentum.
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🤔 So what’s the takeaway?
This is not recent news—it dates back nearly a decade (Sept 14, 2015).
Green’s generosity was about more than naming rights—it was a symbol of gratitude, aimed at giving future Spartans the same chances he had.
The facility continues to serve MSU athletes today, a lasting legacy of one player’s commitment to his university community.
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🧾 TL;DR
Date Donor Amount Purpose Facility
Sept 14, 2015 Draymond Green $3.1 million Strength & conditioning center + endowment Named “Draymond Green Strength & Conditioning Center”
All signs point to this as a 2015 event, not waranted to current-week coverage. But the gift’s impact has continued to resonate within the Spartans’ community and legacy.
If you meant something more recent—perhaps a new donation or a follow-up—let me know! I can search again for anything from 2024–2025.