North Texas picked up graduate transfer forward Derail Green from Incarnate Word to join the team for the 2016-17 season (photo by Steve Slate). 

DENTON – North Texas head men’s basketball coach Tony Benford signed former Incarnate Word and Houston native forward Derail Green to the 2016-17 team on Thursday.

A scoring 6-foot-7 wing player, Green played one season for Incarnate Word averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 29 games played. Green was third on the team in field goal percentage at 44.9 percent and hit 20 three-pointers as a forward last season.

“We are extremely excited to have Derail (Green) join our Mean Green family as he pursues his Master’s degree,” head coach Tony Benford said. “He has great character, is a winner, leader and brings experience to our team.”

Green contributed early with Incarnate Word scoring 14 points with nine rebounds in his first game with the team against Texas Lutheran. Green would go on to score in double-figures 17 times, including a career-high 24 points against Big East member St. John’s. He also showed his ability to find teammates with 58 assists (2.0 per game) and had a career high seven against Nicholls.

“Green was part of a final four team at Wichita State,” Benford said. “He transferred to Incarnate Word and had an immediate impact on their program. He has played for two tremendous coaches. We feel that Derail is a very versatile skilled player who can play inside and outside. He has proved to be an outstanding shooter and will allow us to space the floor on the offensive end not to mention his skills as a defender and rebounder.”

Green is from Houston and attended Klein Forest high school before spending two seasons with the Wichita State Shockers, who made the final four in 2013. In high school, he was a three-time district 13-5A selection and was named MVP as a senior when he averaged 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Green was ranked No. 38 in the state of Texas in 2012, according to Texashoops.com.

All five newcomers for North Texas men’s basketball have either grew up in Texas or played at a school in Texas.

North Texas' 2016-17 Newcomers
A.J. Lawson -- 6-5 -- Guard -- Bryan, TX (Bryan HS)
Ryan Woolridge -- 6-3 -- Guard -- Mansfield, TX (Lake Ridge HS/San Diego)
Keith Frazier -- 6-5 -- Guard -- Dallas, TX (Kimball HS/SMU)
Shane Temara -- 6-9 -- Forward -- Syracuse, N.Y. (Angelina College)
Derail Green – 6-7 – Forward – Houston, TX (Incarnate Word/Wichita State)

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