Former Florida point guard and two-time national champion Taurean Green will make his way back to Gainesville this year, returning to the Gators men’s basketball program as the director of player development.
Announced officially Monday by head coach Todd Golden, UF always intended to hire the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native since early April when Golden announced his intention to hire Green on Jeff Goodman’s podcast “The Field of 68.”
“I couldn’t be more excited for Taurean to join our staff,” Golden said. “He’s one of the best to ever wear the Gator uniform and understands what it takes to achieve at the highest levels here. He’ll be an incredible resource for our student-athletes and an important connection to the tradition of excellence here, both for our fans and for all the past Gators who will always be part of the Florida family.”
However, not only does Green bring his championship experiences from his tenure with Florida during 2004-07, but he also brings knowledge from his 14 years at the professional level in the NBA and overseas.
Green, who was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007, spent only one year in the NBA. Playing for the Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets all in one season. As his time in the NBA ended, he played in France, Poland and Greece. In Europe, he earned a French League title in 2013 with Limoges CSP, All-Star honors in Greece and an MVP award in the Israeli League Round 12 in 2018 to his trophy case before his retirement in 2021.
Green transitioned to a player development coordinator job with the Chicago Bulls. Joining a familiar face, he accompanied his former head coach Billy Donovan for the 2021-22 season. When the season ended for Chicago, it only took a month for Golden to make the call and Green was ecstatic to be back in the orange and blue.
“Gainesville became like another home to me during my time at UF, and I can’t wait to be back,” Green said. “Florida is such a special place, and I'm ready to do everything I can to help our players, Todd Golden, the coaching staff and the entire program have success. Gator Nation, it feels great to be coming home!”
Green was a starter for the program’s back-to-back championships during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, averaging 13.3 points a game.
A vocal influence on the court in Gators’ past will now be one for their future.
Contact Brandon Hernandez at bhernandez@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @BranH2001.
Brandon Hernandez is currently the enterprise sports writer and sports podcast host for The Independent Alligator. He likes long walks on the sidewalk and watching basketball tape in his off time. You can find most of his work @BranH2001 on X and on The Courtside Podcast on Spotify.
