It was a legitimate question.
After playing for the top junior college program in the country, Green signed with OSU, which finished 6-22 in coach Kurt Budke's first season.
"Everyone thinks they can make a difference,” Green said. "You really don't look at the record that closely because you weren't there.”
Green and Maria Cordero, teammates at Central Arizona, will play their final home game tonight at 6 when the No. 17 Cowgirls host Texas Tech.
Sophomore point guard Andre Riley has received tons of media attention for OSU's dramatic turnaround. Coming off a winless season in league play (0-16), Riley and the Cowgirls will make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance later this month.
But Green, who chose OSU over Temple and Arkansas, also has played a key role. She recently was named a second-team academic All-American.
And she can fill up a stat sheet.
Green is OSU's second leading scorer (13.5), is second in rebounding (7.1), shoots 50.0 percent from the field, averages 2.6 assists and brings intangibles like grit and a winning attitude.
"Without her we wouldn't have had 21 wins, that's for sure,” Budke said. "We call her "the diesel” because he just keeps going and finds a way to get it done for us.”
At Central Arizona, Green and Cordero played on a team that was 69-2 over two seasons. The Vaqueras won the national title their freshman year and finished third their sophomore season.
"Coach (Miranda) Serna played at my junior college. She knew what we were capable of doing,” Green said. "Every athlete wants to help bring a program up. We're so proud. It's a beautiful feeling to know how far this program has come.”
Last season the Cowgirls won their final three regular season games to end a 10-year NCAA Tournament drought. They led Bowling Green by 14 points in the opening round and trailed only three minutes the entire game.
A senior-laden Bowling Green team rallied late for a 70-66 win. This year the Cowgirls want more.
"I don't think we could believe we were that far ahead,” Green said. "It's like we waited for the game to get over. This year, we know what to expect. We want to go as far as we can.”
Green rarely spent more than three years in one place. Growing up in a military family, she was born in Philadelphia, spent her formative years in Texas, attended high school near Tucson and spent her senior year in Germany.
Her parents now live in Virginia. Her father, Daniel, will attend tonight's Senior Night ceremony.
"This is everything I hoped it would be,” Green said. "The people here are so nice. My teammates are beautiful people.”
Budke paid Green the ultimate compliment.
"She's one of the greatest people I've ever met in my life, someone you want around your children,” Budke said. "She is a great influence and such a wonderful person.
"Danielle is truly an amazing story. If I had five players that played as hard as Danielle Green we'd be in great shape. It is going to be a great loss for this team when we lose her.”
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Danielle Green goes after the ball against Texas A&M on Wednesday. Green will play her final home game tonight against Texas Tech. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
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