Eastern Illinois wasn’t the first school to actively recruit Dennis Green. It didn’t come from the largest conference, either.
The Ohio Valley Conference college, however, offered what the others involved could not: immediate playing time and an assistant coach Green completely trusted. Wednesday night, the Bronx native signed with the Panthers and new coach Jay Spoonhour for those reasons, picking Eastern Illinois over Hofstra and Nebraska.
“I knew I could play at a higher level, but [Eastern Illinois] is where I can become a better person, where I can be a better player,” said the 6-foot-3 point guard, who spent his senior year at Christian Faith Academy (N.C.).
“Dennis was clearly their No. 1 recruit and he has a great opportunity to make an impact right away as a freshman,” said advisor Steve Goldstein, the co-founder of Beyond Basketball. “That was probably the biggest factor, that they made a real commitment to him. They made it clear he’s their point guard.”
Eastern Illinois came into picture three weeks ago when Spoonhour, who has previously served as an assistant on the Division I level at St. Louis, Missouri and UNLV, was hired and brought along Dan Matic as an assistant. Matic, formerly of JUCO Olney Central Community College, has New York City ties and helped Green’s good friend Trivante Bloodman go from a player with no Division I looks to a scholarship at SEC power Mississippi State while at Olney.
“That played a big, big role,” Green said. “I saw what he did for Trivante. That had a lot to do with my decision.”
The 6-foot-3 scoring point could make an immediate impact at Eastern Illinois, said one Division I coach familiar with Green who was hoping he would reclassify into 2014 so his school could get involved. The coach described him as a smart yet fiery competitor who can get to the basket and finish.
“He’s a New York City kid who will get a lot of accolades in three years and everyone will wonder why he didn’t attend a local school,” the coach said.
It wasn’t an easy decision, Green said, picking Eastern Illinois over Hofstra. He developed a good relationship with assistant Steve DeMeo and felt he would fit in well with the Pride, who will have impact transfers such as Taran Buie (Penn State) and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (UConn) eligible in the winter.
He didn’t want to stay local, though. Going away, first as a freshman and sophomore at St. Patrick in New Jersey followed by one year apiece at Word of God (N.C.) and Christian Faith Academy, has worked well for Green. He didn’t see a reason to come home now.
“It was a tough decision, but I think it was the right one,” Green said. “I just think it was a better opportunity at Eastern Illinois. I’m excited to get there and play under Coach Spoonhour.”