The Houston Rockets have officially announced that they are adding former Rocket and 12-year NBA veteran Gerald Green to their coaching staff as a player development coach.

The former high school All American attended Gulf Shores Academy, where he averaged 33 points per game and finished his senior year as the No.1 player in the nation. He committed to Oklahoma State, but after seeking advice from some current NBA players, he hired an agent and submitted his name into the 2005 NBA Draft.

Green was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He contained his emotions when announcing his retirement to the media in attendance at the Toyota Center before the home opener game between the Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Some things in life you have to learn to close one chapter and open up another,” said Green. “I would like to thank Tillman and Patrick [Fertitta] for this opportunity. With that being said, I will be retiring from the game of basketball and joining the Houston Rockets coaching staff. I could not be more excited about it.

After two seasons with the Houston Rockets, Green had to sit out the 2020-21 NBA season after he suffered a foot injury. He spent the entire off-season recovering and trying to get back on the court and continue his NBA career. Green said he realized that his career may be over after his body was not responding well to his workouts.

“I’ve been going through some things this past year trying to get right,” Green said. “It was a little tough, working out every day. I didn’t have anything left in the tank.”

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone joined Green at the press conference and was elated to have Green join his staff.

“Gerald is a special guy. Gerald’s the type of person who brings a smile to your face when you’re in his presence. There’s no business, no organization in the world that’s not better for having people like that. We’re just really happy to have him with us.”