Jalen Green is a 23-year-old professional basketball player currently with the Phoenix Suns.[4] Born February 9, 2002, in Merced, California, he grew up in Livingston and represents Filipino heritage through his mother, Bree Puruganan.[1][2] Green established himself as an elite prospect during high school, initially attending San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. As a freshman, he averaged 18.1 points and nine rebounds per game, earning MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors.[1] His sophomore season saw him lead San Joaquin to a Central Section Division II title and earn MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. In his junior year, he averaged 30.1 points per game while leading another divisional championship.[1] For his senior year, Green transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California, where he averaged 31.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and five assists per game, capturing the Grind Session World Championship and earning Sports Illustrated's All-American Player of the Year award.[2][3] Rather than attending college, Green made history in April 2020 by becoming the first player to sign with the NBA G League Ignite program.[2] During his single season with Ignite, he averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.[2] The Houston Rockets selected him second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.[1] Green demonstrated scoring prowess in the NBA, averaging 17.3 points per game as a rookie and improving to 22.1 points per game in his second season.[2] In January 2024, he and teammate Alperen Şengün made history as the first duo to each score 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds at age 21 or younger.[3] On March 19, 2024, Green scored a career-high 42 points against the Washington Wizards.[3] The Rockets signed him to a three-year, $106 million contract extension in 2024.[2] Currently, Green is sidelined with a right hamstring strain that has limited his availability for the Suns.[1]