Dad's freedom means everything to UNC's Green

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Danny Green's best moment of the basketball season hasn't been during his now-famous pre-game dances. And it hasn't been on the court, where he has excelled as North Carolina's sixth man.His best moment came on Jan. 28 when he learned his father was released from prison. That was a day the 6-foot-6 junior also gained newfound freedom."Knowing he is out is a big relief, a big stress relief off my shoulders," Green said before a recent practice.Danny Green Sr. had been imprisoned in New York on drug charges, stemming from the sting of a trafficking scheme. The elder Green had maintained his innocence at a trial.Meanwhile, with three younger brothers in his hometown, North Babylon, N.Y., Danny Jr. had been operating under considerable duress since 2006. He was concerned about his father, his siblings, and the family finances while trying to concentrate on school and play big-time basketball."Last year was a struggle, everything in general," said Green, who made midnight trips to the Smith Center to shoot and seek refuge from personal burdens. "(Now) I'm more relieved, more relaxed, able to just play. I don't have to worry about taking care of the family as much. I know he will."The father and son have always been close, and though separated by prison bars, their bond was never broken.Danny Sr., a former high school coach who taught Danny Jr. the game, watched UNC on television, critiqued performances and called his son about twice a week. Inmates couldn't accept calls."I know it was traumatizing to him, (but) he was fabulous," Danny Sr. said via phone of his son's unconditional love. "Sometimes you go through hard times. I always had faith it would work itself out."When Danny Sr. was released, there was a surprise, a family reunion in North Babylon.Danny Jr. flew home, and along with his brothers, showered their father with smiles, hugs and gifts, which included plenty of North Carolina basketball memorabilia."It was great," Danny Jr. said.His father had hoped to see a UNC basketball game live this season, but parole regulations forbid him from leaving the state of New York. He'd also like to visit Chapel Hill, "shake hands" with coach Roy Williams and thank all the Tar Heels who have stuck by him."The Carolina Family is not a myth, it's (real)," Danny Sr. said. "I take it as a blessing to be home (now). I'm trying to put everything in place and trying to overcome a judgmental society."In the meantime he will continue watching Carolina on TV, taping the games, then giving his son positive reinforcement -- and some suggestions."He tells me to stay aggressive, have an aggressive mind-set, play the game," said Danny Jr., who talks daily on the phone with his father now. "He tries to make me better."Not that Green hasn't been playing well in the top-ranked Tar Heels' rotation. His scoring average is a solid 11.8 points, and he paces the team in free throw shooting (85.7 percent).Green also ranks second in 3-point field goals made (42), blocked shots (35) and rebounding (5.3 average) and is third in total steals (38). That's while playing just more than half the game -- 22.5 minutes.In the past three victories over Wake Forest, Boston College and Florida State, Green has flourished even more, averaging 15 points and 10.3 rebounds.While the stats are solid, and his team is rolling, it's the news back home that has given him another reason to dance. (Contact A.J. Carr at aj.carr@newsobserver.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)