Draymond Green isn’t rushing his kids into the world of professional sports, even if he’s got the “cheat code” to help them get there.
The Golden State Warriors star, 35, stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, June 5, and opened up about parenting and whether his kids show signs of athletic interest.
Green shares daughters Cash, 4, and Hunni, 19 months, with wife Hazel Renee. He also co-parents his 8-year-old son Draymond Jamal “D.J.” Green Jr. with ex Jelissa Hardy, and helps raise Renee’s daughter, 10-year-old Olive Jay, from her previous relationship with basketball player Jacob Pullen.
When host Jimmy Kimmel asked if any of the kids were showing signs of sports stardom, Green explained that his two oldest are active, but not necessarily on a basketball track.
“My 10-year-old, she’s in competitive cheer. She’s in dance, piano, she’s more artistic,” he said of Olive. “My 8-year-old plays soccer. He only wants to play soccer.”
Draymond admitted he was surprised by D.J.’s natural ability on the court.
He continued, “I saw him play basketball … His friend had a party last weekend at a fieldhouse, and they played. He was destroying those kids. I couldn’t believe it. But he won’t play. So I tried to have the conversation on the way home, like, ‘Hey D.J., you know, if you really want to take basketball serious, I can help you be really good. I’ve kind of got the cheat code.’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, I play soccer.’ ”
The NBA vet said he decided to hold off on pushing the subject and has “tabled the conversation” for now.
“I’ll LaVar Ball him at some point, but I’m not there yet,” he added. “At some point, I’ll turn into LaVar Ball and push off. Right now, we’ve got time.”
Green even praised Ball, the outspoken dad of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo, calling him “an amazing dad” for his dedication to guiding his sons’ careers.