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Utah Jazz: 25 Best Players To Play For The Jazz

By Phil Watson

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 1983: Rickey Green #14 of the Utah Jazz playing during a game against the Chicago Bulls in December 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 1983: Rickey Green #14 of the Utah Jazz playing during a game against the Chicago Bulls in December 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Dec. 2, 1980.. PG. 1980-88. Rickey Green. 16. player

Rickey Green was hanging on by a thread in the NBA, having spent a season in the Continental Basketball Association and being waived in training camp.

But the Utah Jazz signed Green as a free agent in December 1980 and he emerged as their starting point guard for almost seven seasons.

UTA_16_GREEN
UTA_16_GREEN /

Green was an All-Star in 1984, when he led the NBA in steals. He was second in steals and third in assists in 1982-83, as well.

He was exposed to the expansion draft in June 1988 and selected by the Charlotte Hornets.

In parts of eight seasons in Utah, Green averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 28.6 minutes per game, shooting .479/.206/.820.

Green was the 16th overall pick out of Michigan by the Golden State Warriors in the 1977 NBA Draft and was traded to the Detroit Pistons in October 1978.

Waived by the Pistons in December 1978, Green played in the CBA in 1979-80 before signing with the Chicago Bulls in August 1980. He was waived by Chicago in October 1980.

Waived by the Hornets in February 1989, he signed a week later with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Green joined the Indiana Pacers as a free agent in October 1989, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in October 1990 and went to the Boston Celtics in November 1991 after being waived by Philadelphia.

Green retired after being waived by the Celtics in March 1992.

Next: Ever-Improving Wing Threat

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