KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Webb School of Knoxville girls' basketball star Meeyah Green only turned 16 about a month ago, but her skill level exceeds the average sophomore.
"She's above all the other sophomores I've ever coached, just in the sense of physically, skill and her IQ," said Greg Hernandez, the Webb girls' basketball head coach. "The energy she brings to the team not only as a leader but also as somebody that leads by example, each and every day she brings it at practice."
Hernandez was hired to be the head coach at Webb this season, but he was well aware he would be building the team around Green.
"I was super excited when I got the job to have the opportunity to coach her," Hernandez said.
Green filled the stat sheet during the regular season and averaged 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, four assists and 2.1 steals per game. She also eclipsed the 1,000-career-point mark against Baylor on Feb. 2. Even though she's a sophomore, this is her third year playing on the varsity team, and her first bit of varsity experience was even before that.
"Fifth grade was my first time practicing with the varsity team. Coach Collier, when she was here, gave me the opportunity," Green said. "Third grade I always used to play with boys. My dad prepared me really well."
Meeyah Green's father, Sean, trains NBA players like VFL Admiral Schofield, and her older brother Jaylon currently plays basketball at Maryville College. Green said having that support system gave her an edge going into the next level.
"I was just a step ahead ready to play high school basketball, so it helped me out a lot," Green said.
The versatile star said she has already gotten interest from a number of Power 5 programs like Tennessee, Duke, Mississippi State, Georgia and others, and she hasn't even gotten to the point when coaches are allowed to directly reach out to her.
"I think what makes her so attractive to college coaches is just how unselfish she is," Hernandez said. "She always makes the right play, and she could be very selfish. I think she's got that type of skill set where if she wanted to force some things, she could."
Webb has a number of seniors graduating and no junior class coming up, so Hernandez is also grateful that he has Green to fall back on for a couple more years, and excited for the type of player she can become. He's also grateful he will have her positive attitude around to continue to lift the mood of the team.
"She's just a super kid," Hernandez said. "She always has a smile on her face. You never know if she's having a bad day or not."
"I just love the game," Green said. If I'm feeling down or anything, I just resort to basketball. It makes me happy."