By Brandon King
Despite Zaay Green entering the transfer portal after Dawn Thornton left Arkansas-Pine Bluff for Alabama A&M, the All-SWAC swingwoman candidly stated she would not consider a reunion in Birmingham.
“Unfortunately, I will not be following her to Alabama A&M due to certain circumstances that had happened during the season,” she wrote in a message posted to her Instagram account.
The five-time SWAC Player of the Week during the 2023-24 season did not elaborate on those circumstances.
The former blue-chip high school prospect led the Golden Lions with 16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
Green began her college career at the University of Tennessee. She appeared in 34 games and 26 starts for the Volunteers, averaging 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds before leaving the program after appearing in just two games in her sophomore season following an ACL tear.
She then landed at Texas A&M, appearing in 17 games before leaving College Station.
“I didn’t connect with the coaches at Texas A&M, and I felt like they didn’t see my potential,” Green said. “I remember telling the coaching staff (at Texas A&M) that this wasn’t the best place for me to be right now. They offered to help me through the transfer process. I wasn’t happy, and I wasn’t playing. I played 17 games and felt like I could’ve played more. So, I took my talents somewhere else.”
In her first season at UAPB, Green led the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game. She looked like the player who started both the McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic.
She would miss the entire 2022-23 season after suffering another ACL tear in an offseason pickup game. The former blue-chip high school prospect returned in the 2023-24 season, leading the team with 16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
Green is the third All-SWAC player to depart the Arkansas-Pine Bluff program, following guard Coriah Beck and center Maya Peat, who entered the portal this offseason.
