Dallas Mavericks Select Josh Green In First Round Of The 2020 NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks continue to fill their roster with international talent. With the No. 18 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Mavericks selected Australian guard Josh Green out of the University of Arizona.

“What we needed first on our roster are wing defenders that can shoot and score and hopefully make plays,” Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle said. “We feel like he’s a ready to go 3-and-D guy and we also feel he has the ability to make plays. Those were some of the reasons we liked him so much.”

A native of Sydney, Green moved to Phoenix with his family in 2014 before transferring to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida to complete high school in 2017, where he won a national championship. He was also a 2019 McDonald’s All-American.

During his one year of collegiate play, in which he started 30 games, the 6-foot-6 Green posted averages of 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.9 minutes per game. He had shooting averages of 42.4% overall and 36.1 % on three-pointers. What made him stand out for the Mavericks was his ability to play both sides of the ball, especially on defense.    

“We like his size, his strength, we feel he plays with an edge and the ability to shoot the ball is important,” Carlisle said. “He was a very good three-point shooter in college.”

With the Wildcats, Green frequently matched up against the primary wing threat of the opponent. His lateral speed and 6-foot-10 wingspan allowed him to guard players one-on-one as well as defend multiple positions.

Carlisle spoke highly of Green’s maturity and worldliness as he makes a quick adjustment to the NBA season as training camps begin December 1. Once in camp, the hope is for Green to compete and establish himself as a potential rotation player.

“We think that because of his experience and because of his background and the person that he is, he has the opportunity to compete at that level,” Carlisle said. “We’re looking forward to having him here. Once he gets here, things are going to start happening real quick.”