IRVINE, Calif. - The 2017-18 UC Irvine women's basketball team will feature 10 newcomers with five true freshmen and five returning redshirts suiting up in an Anteater uniform for the first time. Fans can get to know each of these student-athletes through our Meet the Newcomers series. This week, we'll find out more about junior guard Morgan Green.




#13 MORGAN GREEN
Year: Junior
Position: Guard
Height: 5-7
Hometown: San Jose, Calif. (Michigan State/Pacific Collegiate HS)
Major: Sociology

1. World Traveler
Morgan's hometown is listed as San Jose, but that is just one of the many places she has lived. She was born in Jamaica before coming to the United States and living in Brooklyn, N.Y. When she was 10 years old, Morgan picked up and left for Arkansas with her mom who was going to law school. The two also lived in China for six months, and eventually made the move to Northern California for Morgan's high school years.

Perhaps the biggest move was to Arkansas, which is where Morgan first started playing organized basketball.

"I always wanted to play basketball, I was obsessed with it, but I never had the chance growing up in Brooklyn," Green said. "The second I moved to Arkansas, I signed up for every sport I could. Going to Arkansas was one of the best moves of my life and I didn't expect that."

Morgan's travels also gave her the chance to be exposed to and learn different languages, including Jamaican Patois, Haitian Creole and Mandarin.

"When I was growing up in Brooklyn, my babysitter was Haitian," Green said. "And when I lived in China, I went to school where I was taught the culture and language. It was a lot of fun."
 

2. The Decision
Morgan had a short list of schools she was looking at when she was transferring mid-season last year. She worked closely with a former coach she played for at the AAU level and at Chabot College. His influence and several other trusted individuals who informed her about Coach Inoue and the program's potential led her to UC Irvine. Morgan also liked what she saw on her visit to campus.

"I could tell it was a family atmosphere and that's something you always want to see as a basketball player," Green said. "You go to war with your family every day. My teammates were people who I knew I could compete with and trust, which is huge for me."

Although she had to sit out last year, Green still got to experience the family atmosphere first-hand, with the other transfers, graduating seniors and returners all helping her get accustomed to her new surroundings both on and off the court. Now, Green is anxious to suit up, and continue to grow and improve alongside her teammates.

"I'm looking forward to being able to play again - being able to grow and build as a team," Green said. "That's one of my favorite things to do, to see where we go every day. We may have some lofty goals in mind, but it's the process that I like the most. I haven't been able to be a part of that since I missed out last season, so just being back, being a part of the daily grind and being able to accomplish something as a team is exciting."
 

3. Love of the Game
When Morgan moved to Arkansas at 10 years old she started her basketball career, but it actually wasn't the first organized sport she ever played. It was tackle football.

"Our team was the Purple People Eaters," Green said. "I was the only girl in the league but I loved it. It also helped me out a lot with basketball in terms of anticipation and grit."

Morgan would go on to play basketball at the local Boys & Girls Club. From there, she was recruited to join an AAU team and the rest is history.

"I had a passion for basketball that I couldn't say I had for anything else," Green said.

That passion showed in how much she wanted to grow her game at a young age. She would watch NBA games and if she saw anything she wanted to add to her arsenal, she would try it the next time she was on the court.

"When I was growing up, I loved Steve Nash," Green said. "My natural position is a true point guard; I love to pass. I also remember the first person I actually tried to emulate. My first game in the Boys & Girls Club, I did a reverse move underneath the backboard and my mom asked me where I learned to do that. I told her, 'It's Andre Iguodala, mom. He just did it in the dunk contest.'"

Although her first love has always been basketball, Morgan showed a lot of potential in track & field as well. After competing in a wide array of events, including the 400m, 800m and 1600m, she was selected to join a training group where she would specialize in the 800m.

"I really like the track atmosphere," Green said. "It is still one of my dreams to compete in the Olympics for Jamaica in track & field."
 

MORE ABOUT MORGAN...
Favorite musical artist
Jimi Hendrix
 
Why did you choose #13?
Steve Nash was my favorite player growing up and my birthday is August 13.
 
Favorite sport other than basketball
I love all sports, but probably track.
 
Hobbies off the court
I love music - I have a wide interest, I don't just listen to one type of genre. I also enjoy writing. I've written quite a few poems and short stories.
 
What was the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome in your basketball career?
I feel like every stage of my career I've had to overcome some obstacle - either physical or mental. I had a shoulder injury my senior year in high school. I played with it for one season at Chabot College and then tried to play with it at Michigan State, and it was a battle every day. But, I'm healthy now.
 

MEET THE NEWCOMERS SERIES
Lauren Saiki
Jordan Sanders