For the last several seasons, one of the biggest criticisms of the Milwaukee Bucks organization has been their poor selections in the NBA Draft. Indeed, one needs only look at the current Bucks roster to see that the majority of their players were not drafted by Milwaukee. Instead, they were brought in later as free agents or via trade.
But as valid as that criticism is, what also is true is that general manager Jon Horst has been able to find young gems outside of the draft. Ryan Rollins, for example, is a candidate for the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year this season after the Bucks gave him a shot following his failure to stick with multiple teams. Pete Nance, too, may be the most recent example of Horst finding diamonds other teams overlooked.
Another one of these players, AJ Green, has become immensely popular among Bucks fans, and over the weekend made some history at the University of Northern Iowa.
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green had his jersey retired at Northern Iowa
Green signed as an undrafted free agent with Milwaukee after the 2022 NBA Draft. He, at first, earned a two-way contract with the Bucks following training camp, but was signed to a multi-year deal in 2023 after he shot 42% from three in limited playing time as a rookie.
Over this past summer, he also was given a contract extension from the Bucks, and has started all 49 games that he has played so far this year. As of the NBA All-Star Break, he is averaging 10.7 points while shooting a career-best 43% from three.
While some NBA players went to Los Angeles for the All-Star festivities, and while some went on vacation, Green returned to the University of Northern Iowa, where he played his college ball. While there, he became the first player in school history to have their jersey retired:
It’s AJ Green jersey retirement day in Cedar Falls. The former Panther great is the first in program history to have his jersey up in the rafters. pic.twitter.com/zudaVb6h1V
— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) February 15, 2026
In four seasons with the Panthers, Green averaged 17.9 points per game, which is the third-highest average in school history. He is the program’s all-time leader in three-point attempts and three-point percentage. Additionally, Green ranks fourth in school history with 1,769 points.
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