SU pays tribute to a legend, Tommy Green

Southern University celebrated the life of basketball star and former head coach, Tommy Green during halftime after a 75-64 win in his home at F.G. Clark Activity Center on January 30 when the men’s basketball team faced Alcorn State.
The Jaguars honored his legacy with a presentation to his family, wife and two children.
As a man who recognized Green’s job description, Southern Head Men’s Basketball coach and Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks said, “This night is befitting to recognize Tommy. We know he’s a legend here for all he’s done for the university and the athletic department. You always have to recognize who have helped, in this case the basketball program and the university.”
The ceremony is part of Banks’ push to honor the history of Southern basketball through “Legends Night” in hopes to enlighten the community to the program. The Jaguars have hosted events such as this throughout the years at very challenging games.
Banks declined to mention what “tokens of appreciation would be given, but there would be something from the department and Sixth Man Booster Club and also a video presentation of his legacy.
Green starred at Southern as a four year starter under former head coach, Carl Stewart from 1974 – 1978. During his star career at Southern, Green scored over 1,000 points and helped guide the Jaguars to a 23-5, 9-3 record as a co-captain and senior in 1977 – 1978. The Jaguars finished as the SWAC Regular season co-champions and Green earned an All – SWAC selection.
During his career, Green just shot 53 percent from the field and 74 percent at the free throw line.
The graduate of McKinley High School was a second draft pick to the New Orleans Jazz and played for three seasons before returning to coach to Baton Rouge to join the coaching ranks.
Green was one of the few players from Southern in 1978 to be selected into the NBA Draft.
“He was one of the first major recruits, Southern got in regards to when other schools like LSU were recruiting him out of high school and he chose to come to Southern University.”
Banks continued with, “He played in one of the better teams at Southern University,”
He was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Also in the early 1990s, he returned to the bluff of the Mississippi to become a top assistant under the legendary former head coach, Ben Jobe and witnessed the Jaguars defeat the Georgia Tech in the 1993 NCAA Tournament for what was the program’s only tournament victory.
In 1996, he succeeded Jobe and took the helm of the Southern University Jaguars when he compiled a 74-64 overall record in the next five seasons. Green’s 1999 and 2000 teams finished as the league’s tournament runner-up.
Banks served as a member of Green’s coaching staff.
“Probably if it wasn’t for him giving him a chance as an assistant coach and giving me my opportunity here, perhaps Roman Banks and Southern University wouldn’t have a relationship we have now,” said Banks, “He’s always been one of my mentors in this business that has helped me along the way.”
Banks passed away and survived by his wife, Sabrina and his two children, Lesley and Ikie.
He is gone but never forgotten and his legacy is always carved onto the court.