Franklin High's Al Green Commits to Louisiana Tech

Whatever the task, mission or enterprise, hoops-related or not, you want Al Green on your side. Not to downplay the recent commitment of the 6-foot-4 guard out of Franklin High and currently at San Diego City College (SDCC) to Louisiana Tech for next season but it's imperative to learn how he first went about generating his important role in a top notch community college basketball program that tells an even more critical aspect about who he is and the values he displays.

Green hit the proverbial recruiting wall after a COVID-ravaged and truncated senior Franklin High season left him with no videotape highlights and zero recruiting interest. But rather than wailing "woe is me" and doing nothing, he put together a plan to improve his situation.

Utilizing social media, Green began contacting the head basketball coach and assistant coach of every southern California community college hoops program. He wanted to head to the Southland for the challenge, seeing the collection of basketball programs located there as the best in the state. "I knew nobody was going to do this for me so I had to be the one."

All It Takes Is One

Green received but a single reply. San Diego City College Assistant Coach Joe D'Ambro responded positively, interested in seeing Green work out at the next opportunity down in San Diego. Yes, you could say it went well. "I took a visit down there and worked out. The head coach saw me too." Green kept the basketball bouncing and eventually averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a freshman while shooting a better than solid 55%, 42% and 75% respectively. He earned First Team Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honors.

In fact, Green moved over to the point at the start of league play and his versatility and effort proved essential in SDCC advancing to the Sweet Sixteen last season. He led the Knights in scoring.

Suitors came calling, Louisiana Tech among them. Green took an official visit down to the Bayou State and found the situation he wanted. "While I was there, it felt like a family environment, very relationship oriented. I connected to the coaches and that's what I felt I needed. Coach (Talvin) Hester was so real and honest with me." What thoroughly surprised but delighted Green was finding a copy of Sports Illustrated placed in his hotel room. But it wasn't just any copy. On the cover was a photo of Green surrounded by print about him and the 2026 NBA draft.

So what will he be bringing to his next address? "Definitely shooting, even when I was little I was always a shooter. Plus the ability to play at my own pace. I don't get sped up a lot."

What also tells an important aspect of Green's overall tale is his employing the same rationale multiple times in choosing a school and basketball program. "I had a lot of the same reasons in deciding to go to Louisiana Tech as when I selected San Diego City College."

Asked to name the most important hoops influences in his life, Green offered, "I would say my Mom and my Dad. My Dad has been my trainer since I was little. Also my older sister Allie who played at Pepperdine (as a 5-foot-10 guard). She went from Sacramento High to Malibu."

He noted two situations as being among his best basketball moments. "I transferred from Elk Grove to Franklin High as a junior. I wasn't very well known in school and we played against Cosumnes Oaks. I had a good game and we won. Afterwards, everyone at school acted like they knew me." His second choice took place last season at home against Palomar in mid-February. "We won by two points and I scored 33 points (10-13 shooting, 11-16 on free throws). It was a great overall team effort."

He plans to major in business which generally provides multiple opportunities across its spectrum but "I know what I want to do. My great grandma owned a real estate brokerage and it has passed down to my mother. Real estate is the work I want to go into after basketball."

Here's a warning to real estate moguls. Green will have drawn up a master plan to make a major dent in the field. Of course. That's who he is.