Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts men's basketball head coach Kory Barnett hired Van Green as an assistant coach on April 23, 2025.

"We are excited to welcome Van Green to the ORU family," said Coach Barnett. "Van is a man of high character whose values align perfectly with the mission of our university. He is a proven recruiter, a strong relationship builder, and an exceptional developer of talent. His work ethic, commitment to excellence, and unwavering faith make him an outstanding addition to our coaching staff and the ORU community."
 
Green most recently served as an assistant coach at Sacramento State, where he was instrumental in multiple facets of the program. He played a central role in opponent scouting, player development, and defensive strategy. His efforts contributed to the Hornets finishing among the top four defensive teams in the Big Sky Conference. Additionally, he helped mentor standout forward Jacob Holt, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Green also served as one of the program's two recruiting coordinators, broadening the team's reach and talent acquisition.
 
Before joining Sacramento State, Green spent seven seasons (2017–2024) at Rice University, where he was widely recognized for his work in developing perimeter players and shaping team offensive strategy. Under his guidance, several players made the leap to the NBA, including first-round draft pick Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans) and Drew Peterson (Boston Celtics). He also played a pivotal role in the growth of all-conference players like Chris Mullins, Carl Pierre, and Travis Evee. Pierre set multiple school records, including single-season three-pointers made, and represented Rice in the national 3-point contest at the Final Four.
 
Green was heavily involved in recruiting at Rice, with a focus on the South, Midwest, Northeast, and international markets. His efforts helped land key contributors such as Travis Evee and Carl Pierre (transfer from UMass). During the program's transition into the American Athletic Conference in 2023–24, Green helped guide a historic season that featured record-breaking performances. Notably, Max Fiedler became the only player in NCAA history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 100 blocks and steals. Meanwhile, Evee broke Rice's all-time three-point shooting records, finishing as one of the top scorers in program history.
 
During Green's time at Rice, the program reached back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 2004–05 and shattered several team records in categories like assists and field goal percentage. His leadership also contributed to national rankings in offensive efficiency, with the Owls finishing among the top 50 in multiple metrics. Beyond the court, Green spearheaded Rice's community engagement efforts through its volunteer program and served on hiring committees, aiding in staff development and retention.
 
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Green worked at Central Park Christian High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he coached future NBA center N'Faly Dante. He began his basketball journey as a player at Columbia University before transferring to Rice as a graduate student in 2014. In his final collegiate season, he played in all 32 games and was recognized for academic excellence with the Conference USA Academic Medal and a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
 
"It is an honor and a privilege to join the Oral Roberts community and serve as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team," said Green. "I'm excited to work alongside Coach Barnett to help implement his vision and elevate the program to new heights. My goal is to be an asset to the coaching staff and the broader community as we build up young men, both on and off the court. Oral Roberts has a well-earned reputation for developing students holistically, and my wife and I are thrilled to be joining such a strong and supportive family."
 
Green holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Columbia (2014) and a master's degree in Teaching from Rice (2016). Outside of basketball, he and his wife, Jessica, enjoy spending time together reading, walking, mentoring community youth, and being active in their local church. They have a son and a dog named Jazzy.