In control of her surroundings

Texas native Brittani Green has blossomed as a Bulldog athlete

By Anthony Galaviz
The Collegian

Brittani Green knows when a bad situation is about to take place.

Consider, in the Fresno State women’s basketball team’s 75-69 overtime victory against Hawaii earlier this season, the senior forward prevented an altercation from happening by stepping in after teammate Tierre Wilson was fouled hard late in the game.

“The game was intense,” Green said. “The referees let it get out of control. I was breaking it up. They just went back and forth talking and I was trying to break it up.”

Fresno State head coach Adrian Wiggins was grateful to see Green step in.

“I was proud that she made sure nothing happened,” Wiggins said.

Wilson knows Green will look after her teammates.

“She was there to take my back,” Wilson said. “That’s what she does. She cares about us a lot. She’ll be there no matter what.”

Michael Ensley, who coached Green at Texas’ Dallas Lincoln High, wasn’t surprised when Green intervened.

“That’s Brittani,” Ensley said. “She was like that here at Dallas Lincoln. She can relate to both sides — to being aggressive and the ones who are not aggressive. She’s always been that kind of person and I think that’s what makes her so valuable for Fresno State.”

Green’s path to Fresno State began in Dallas where she started playing basketball in third grade thanks to much encouragement from her dad and uncle.

From there, Green would get up every Saturday morning, don her uniform and play against other elementary teams at a high school gymnasium.

“I was the only third grader playing,” said Green, who’s majoring in broadcasting. “I was playing with fifth and sixth graders. It was hard. I remember my first shot everybody went crazy.”

Soon, Green ended up playing for Dallas Lincoln. There, she guided her team to winning records.

Dallas Lincoln was state runner-up in each of Green’s final three seasons and she averaged 17.8 points and 7.2 rebounds for her high school career.

Green admits finishing second will always leave emptiness.

“It was really frustrating,” Green said. “We won all the time. You always wanted to play hard.”

Prior to her senior high school season, Green led her 16-under Basketball Congress International summer team to a National Championship.

Her hard work caught the attention of Ensley.

“In middle school she had size and determination,” Ensley said. “She had a good attitude to be a good basketball player and I was right. Good work ethic and leadership.”

Out of high school, Fresno State, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, North Texas and Stephen F. Austin were heavily recruiting Green.

Green chose Fresno State because she wanted to leave Texas.

“When I came for my official visit it was the most comfortable place,” Green said. “It was like home away from home.”

Of the 2003-04 season, Green will remember Nov. 21 for a long time, because she scored her first collegiate career basket against Washington State.

“I was so nervous,” Green said. “I felt like I had to prove so much. It gets you excited. I was out of high school and you wanted to get the butterflies out of the way.”

From being a reserve to a starter, Green has adapted well to Wiggins’ coaching style.

This season, Green has helped the Bulldogs to an 11-7 overall record and a 4-1 record in the Western Athletic Conference.

Green has started all 18 games for the Bulldogs and is averaging 7.0 points per contest. The senior’s 99 rebounds place her second on the team for the season behind Wilson who has 108.

Despite the success, Green is not satisfied with her performance.

“I feel like I can do a lot more,” Green said. “I know what I’m capable of.”

Wiggins agrees.

“Very mature,” Wiggins said. “She’s taking advantage of the collegiate experience. Mentally, she’s a tough player. She has quick feet and quick hands. She’s a long, tall player and that helps her with her feet which is a very big asset for her.”

Wilson said, “I’m a hot head in practice and off the court, and she would tell me ‘hey control yourself.’ In practice when you’re hurting a lot she [Green] would say ‘let’s keep going.’ We definitely appreciate it. She’s always there for you. Beyond caring with a win-win attitude. She wants to make the other person happy before her.”

Before graduating in May, Green would like one thing.

“We always talk about our goals,” Green said. “To win the WAC championship.”

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