Right At Home: Donté Greene’s Basketball Story Comes Full Circle In TBL With Frederick Flying Cows
What started at Towson, Maryland continues this season in The Basketball League with former NBA forward bringing a tight basketball bond and years of experience with him to Frederick.
This past August when The Basketball League announced the addition of the Frederick Flying Cows for the 2024 season, the timing, community support, and palpable passion for the game of basketball in the area proved to be a positive storyline over the long TBL offseason.
Four months later, the Flying Cows under the leadership of co-owners Michael Witt and Tony Mazlish, General Manager Chris Jenkins, and tenured TBL coach Ed Corporal appear to be moving in one direction: upward.
With the beginning of the 2024 TBL regular season starting in February, the organization has everything geared toward starting the season strong with an early shaped offseason roster mixed with previous TBL championship experience, tough defenders, and the chance to surprise some teams with guys like Tavares Sledge (Wright State and USC Aiken), Charlie Marquardt (Molloy and played with Syracuse Stallions), Tevin Foster (Abilene Christian, who helped lead Potawatomi Fire to a TBL title), Quantel Denson (Hutchinson Community College) and Lyle Hexom (Peru State, and consistently one of the best big man in TBL), already on board in Frederick.
But then came the big news.
Or better yet, the big man news.
In mid-November, the team announced the signing of former Syracuse University standout, Big East beast, NBA alum, NBA D-League vet, BIG 3 star, and professional basketball sojourner, Donté Greene. For hoop heads and basketball die-hards, Donté has always been a fan favorite wherever he’s gone. This wasn’t just another offseason inking in TBL. Thanks to Donté coming of age 52 miles down the road at Towson Catholic where he won a Baltimore Catholic League title, this is a homecoming in many ways and provides the chance for both parties to strengthen a connection between the court and the community in Frederick.
“I’ve heard a lot about TBL through my guy Aquille Carr who plays for the team in Redding. I’m looking to stay local but still play in a competitive league. I think the TBL gives me the best option,” Donté said in an interview with Around The Basketball League.
“I know that the league has a lot of guys looking to make a name for themselves so it makes for good competition.”
With a pro basketball resume that boasts stints in Sacramento, Reno, Puerto Rico, China, Saudi Arabia, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, continuing his career right at home in Maryland simply feels right. And then there’s the Brunson League. The premiere summer league that goes down in Baltimore and ranks amongst some of the nations best pro-ams is a prime example of the brotherhood and bond that exists and keeps growing locally. Brunson League guys get after it (Don’t Duck This Bump) on both ends of the court and is a competition on a whole different level. The Brunson also keeps guys ready to go professionally. When the opportunity calls they are ready to answer it. In this case, the call came quick and easy to Greene, with Frederick and the Flying Cows getting off of the ground and TBL already having Brunson guys like Aquille Carr (Reading) and Mo Creek (Medora) previously shine in the league.
Now it’s Donté’s time to go to work in TBL.
“The Brunson is everything. The city really gets excited and has a crazy buzz come summer time. I’m one of the older guys now but we have a lot of really good younger pro’s who are not just in the NBA but playing at high levels around the world,” the 6-11 forward said breaking down the Brunson.
“I love to play basketball. Whether it’s pick-up, a men’s league, or a pro league, I’m always trying to hoop. I’m currently just working out and playing in the men's league preparing for the TBL season.”
The local love is mutual for Donte Green, from where he’s been to where he is going with Frederick.
“Baltimore produces pros every year – NBA guys, overseas players, you name it. Baltimore basketball is different. Ever since I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old, to this day my best friends to this day are some guys I grew up playing with. This just shows you how closely connected basketball is,” said Joey O’Dwyer, who serves as associate head coach at Loyola Blakefield prep school in Towson, has played in the Brunson League, and is one of the best sports photographers around.
“Donté and I go back a couple years and he has definitely always been there for me when I needed anything. We always show support for each other even when he's traveling for his BIG 3 games, when he comes home and plays in the Brunson, or when he shows up for games I coach. My all-time starting five from Baltimore would be – Malcom Delaney, Carmelo Anthony, Will Barton, Rudy Gay, and Donté Greene.”
It’s that kind of respect that Greene — who won a Brunson League Championship with FOE in 2019 — has earned thanks to his drive and dedication between the lines. It’s that same respect and valuable insight that he plans to pass down to the next generation and young players he’ll share a locker room with this upcoming TBL season.
What’s his biggest word of advice heading into this season in Frederick?
“I’ve been blessed to be able to talk to a lot of vets from Sam Cassell, Carmelo Anthony, and John Wallace coming out of school. Once in the NBA Abdur-Rahim (NBA G-League President) was my vet my first couple of years in the league,” Donté said looking back on coming into the league in 2008.
Fifteen years later, Donté is still passing down what he’s learned through his travails and travels around the game.
“They have to understand that this is your job now. Nothing else matters besides hoop. This is a business so you have to carry yourself as such. Put the work in and control what you can control. The rest will take care of itself.”
Wendell Maxey is the author of Around The Basketball League and has written about professional basketball and sports for 20 years. He’s been featured on NBA.com, ESPN.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and media outlets. You can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree. This 2024 season, Wendell will also be a featured writer with the Basketball Super League.