The Advocate and Democrat

Things were a little different at this year’s Aaron Green Basketball Camp.

The former Sweetwater High School and University of Tennessee basketball standout held a different title while instructing campers on the fundamentals of basketball.

That’s because nearly one year ago Green left the head coaching position at Cleveland High School to become a graduate assistant at UT.

Still, the title change seemed only to help the popularity of the camp, the sixth time Green has conducted the camp at Hiwassee College.

More than 90 campers were present for the four-day camp, which was cut back to just one session this year.

That would only make sense, though, as Green has left little time for anything outside his duties with the UT basketball program.

As a graduate assistant, Green said he is involved with nearly every facet of the program.

“You name it and I’m pretty much assisting in it … I’ve had a hand in all of it,” said Green. “Coach [Bruce] Pearl has probably given me a little more responsibility than maybe some other graduate assistants throughout the country.”

Green said he took a big risk in moving from Cleveland High School, a program he built over the last several years, to the position he’s in now.

“I looked at it as a win-win situation. I’ve always wanted to coach in college, I’ve always been a guy that’s goal-oriented, and have always had a goal to be a college coach,” said Green.

“I felt like making that move would help my chances of becoming a head Division I coach and at the same if it didn’t work out I’d have years of coaching experience under Coach Pearl and more education.”

Because of the risk and opportunity, Green said the job at UT was the only one he would’ve left for and he’s gained valuable experience working for Pearl.

“Just what I’ve gained from Coach Pearl from a basketball standpoint is unbelieveable. I’ve probably taken just as much from his personality and how he deals with people as I have his X’s and O’s.”

“It’s special,” said Green of going back to coach at UT. “I would not have made this move anywhere else simply because of where I played, where my roots are at, and where I’m from.”

As camp broke for this year, Green said he thought it was a successful week and is looking forward to another year.

“We love having [camp] at Hiwassee College and we had great sponsors in Pat Pennington from State Farm, Archer’s Pharmacy, and Mason Furniture. I thought it went really well.”

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