Green, who is one of the coaches in the 2011 Jr. NBA National Training Camp, said he had seen how the Filipinos embraced basketball as their own and play the game with their own distinct style.

‘’The game here is played heartfelt. The players really show a lot of heart whenever they play so I am really excited to do our clinics here. I’m expecting some really promising players,’’ said Green. ‘’The players here like to emulate what they see from their NBA idols.’’

Green, who won three championships in the National Basketball Association, saw for himself the enthusiasm of young Filipino dribblers and he expects to meet dynamic, young aspirants when he starts conducting training beginning today until Monday.

In his 16-year odyssey in the NBA, Green won two championships during the Magic Johnson-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era and another championship in the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal era in 2000.

And for him, both eras were special.

‘’It’s a great feeling playing with those legendary players. I am very humbled and honored to win rings in both eras.’’

Green holds the record of most consecutive games played in NBA history, with a stunning run of 1,192 straight games. It’s an accomplishment that might never be broken.

‘’The Ironman record, it took a lifetime to get that. It’s all about character, discipline, commitment and faith. I’m proud of that,” Green said.

Green, known for his defensive tenacity, also played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat during his stint in the NBA before finally hanging up his sneakers as a Laker again after the 2000 season where he won his final ring alongside Bryant and O’Neal.

The Jr. NBA Program is the NBA’s youth development program that promotes basketball participation and an active lifestyle among children. The camp has gathered the Top 50 young players aged 10 to 14 from different regions in the country as the program winds up this weekend.