“Don’t you think I know what a pro looks like?” These were the tough words spoken by Perry Watson, Willie Green’s coach at the University of Detroit Mercy. Watson aimed to illustrate the harsh realities of the basketball world, but he also recognized that these words would motivate Willie to push himself even harder in pursuit of his NBA dreams.

It was the summer of 2002 when Willie Green was going into his senior year at Detroit Mercy after playing as a starter for three years. He was seeking some advice on how to improve his game during the offseason. However, his coach told him to look for teaching roles after graduation.

But Green wasn’t one to give up easily. Instead, he used his coach’s words as fuel, pushing his work rate to new heights. By the time he returned for his senior season, he was a transformed player. Green had refined his game on both ends of the court, enhanced his physique, and brought an undeniable intensity. Coach Watson quickly realized he now had a completely different player at his disposal. In Watson’s words, “I tell everyone that I’ve never had a player improve as much as (Green) did during one offseason.” and added “He was phenomenal that next season. He made the biggest jump I’ve ever seen.”

Watson could not help himself but just appreciate Green’s grit and determination and it paid off for the now New Orleans Pelicans HC as he went from averaging 13.7 points as a junior to 22.6 as a senior. He later went on to achieve his hooping dreams by being picked in the 2nd round of the NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics. Let’s go a little back in time to look at Green’s ethnicity, family roots, and birthplace.

What is Willie Green’s Ethnicity?

Willie Green was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 28, 1981. He is an American citizen and is of African-American descent. Willie has always been proud of his roots and worked to give back to his community. At the time of joining the Pelicans as a Head Coach Green was one of the seven African-American coaches to land a HC role in 2021.

Willie Green’s family roots and birthplace

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green grew up immersed in basketball. Not only did he play high school and college basketball in Detroit, but he also had the unwavering support of his father, Willie Sr., and his uncle, Gary Green. Gary wasn’t just a mentor to Willie—he helped countless Detroit kids find a path through basketball, keeping them off the streets and guiding them as a father figure.

At his local church, he set up a small cafeteria and basketball gym where young players could practice. Gary would often drive as many as 16 kids home after practice, ensuring they were safe and off the streets. His influence on Willie was profound, even coaching him during his college days.

Giving back to his community

Willie Green and his wife Terrah Green are quite private people and they are raising three beautiful children together. The couple is regularly involved in providing help in their community and helping people in need. one such cause was the couple providing free Pelicans gear, haircuts to people, hygiene kits, and Christmas dinner to 300 people.

They do not disclose the majority of their charity work and is kept as a secret so there is not much information about it on the Internet. However, rest assured Willie is always there to support people in need, and like his uncle, he is also involved in working for his community.