Draymond Green on Fatherhood: Discovering Self-Reflection and Parenting Amidst NBA Challenges

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has discovered more about himself via his children.

The four-time NBA champion discusses the value of being a father today, the difficulties of being a father while playing in the NBA, and other topics.

Following his Golden State Warriors team’s elimination in the second round of the NBA playoffs, four-time NBA champion Draymond Green found himself with more free time than usual. The bright side is that he gets to spend a lot of time with his kids as a family.

“Man, I really don’t have any hobbies,” Green said to Andscape. “I spend a great deal of time with my kids and family. Dealing with those youngsters teaches you a lot about yourself. You know what I discovered when raising my children? As you deal with them, you come to realize, “Oh, s—, I do that.” Like, they understand that too, so I should approach this differently. Therefore, I’ve learned a lot about myself from spending a lot of time with my children.

Green is the biological father of two children, Cash and Draymond Jamal Jr. In addition to being married to actress Hazel Renee, the four-time NBA All-Star also has a daughter from a prior relationship named Olive Pullen. The 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is well-known for bringing his kids to the Chase Center practice area following games and to his news conference following a victory. Draymond Jr. was also a ball boy for the Warriors. Draymond Green has expressed gratitude to the NBA and the Warriors in the past for giving him the “special” chance to include his kids in his job.

In the exclusive Q&A that follows, Green discussed a variety of topics with Andscape in advance of Father’s Day, including the value of being a present father, the difficulties of parenthood for NBA players, his relationship with both his father and the father of his stepdaughter, and much more.

During the season, how much time do you get to spend with your kids?

For as long as I am able. I drop kids off at school a lot. It is your goal to cross the Bay Bridge in thirty minutes. It’s important time at that. I so make an effort to ride as many of those rides as I can. Lock in with them when you get home. Take that time to be with them. First of all, they require it.