Florida State University Athletics
Wednesday, January 3
Tallahassee, Fla.
7:00 p.m.
Florida State
vs
Georgia Tech
Darin Green Jr.: My Sister Is My Best Friend
1/2/2024 11:29:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sometimes it's as simple as a wave. Sometimes it's a kiss blown towards the court where one of Dailyn Green's most favorite people in the whole world is getting ready to do what he does best – play basketball. The wave or the kiss has come before just about every game of his career and is the final piece of his preparation before tip-off.
Whatever the gesture is, it's the most meaningful of connections between Florida State's Darin Green Jr. and his sister, 13-year old Dailyn, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was 18 months old. Dailyn has been going to her brothers' games for as long as she can remember. Darin is not completely ready to play until the simplest of acknowledgments from his biggest fan.
"When I was in high school, I could hear her when we played in smaller gyms with smaller crowds," said Darin who will lead the Seminoles into their ACC home opener against Georgia Tech on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center. "But in college, I don't hear her because there are so many more people and the arenas are much bigger. That's why it's incredibly important I catch her eye before each game starts."
Dailyn was diagnosed with Mosaic Down Syndrome at 18 months old. According to Darin Green Sr., Dailyn and Darins' father, the timing of the diagnosis was unusual as Down Syndrome is usually diagnosed during pregnancy or immediately after birth.
There are three types of Down Syndrome. Trisomy 21 (about 95 percent of the people with Down Syndrome have this type), Translocation (about two percent), and Mosaic Down Syndrome (about three percent). Because Dailyn lives her life at such a high level there aren't many challenges she faces on a daily basis.
"I like hanging out and talking to my friends at school." said Dailyn. "I enjoy hanging out with my family. I like watching basketball, and I enjoy singing Bruno Mars' songs."
The thing she enjoys the most about watching her big brother play basketball is what he does best – making 3-point shots.
Shooting the 3-point shot is the part of Darin's game for which he is most well-known. Entering the Seminoles' game against Georgia Tech, he is ranked seventh nationally among current Division I players with 332 career 3-point shots made. He is fifth in the ACC with 33 3-point field goals made and sixth in the nation's top collegiate basketball conference with a .393 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. In only his second season at Florida State, he is already ranked 16th in school history with 124 3-point shots made.
For much of his playing career, Darin hasn't been much more than a deep 3-point shot from home, first in high school at the Wharton School in Tampa, then for the first three years of his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida.
"We have been really blessed as a family that Dailyn hasn't had many challenges," said Darin Sr. "Darin used to help her as she was going through speech therapy early on."
It's something he continues to do, as Darin and Dailyn talk on the phone nearly every day.
"Dailyn and I have always been close," said Darin. "It was easier to see her more often when I went to UCF in Orlando with my family living in Tampa. When I decided to come to Florida State, it became a little further away so we make sure we call or text each other at least once a day."
For Dailyn and Darin, 23, the constant communication is important to their daily lives.
"I call him all the time and I speak with him at least three to four times a week," said Dailyn. 'Whenever I talk to Darin he always says, 'Hey pretty girl' and he tells me to 'be a good girl and keep doing well in school.'"
The incredibly close bond between Dailyn and Darin blossomed immediately according to parents Nena and Darin Green Sr.
"Dailyn tended to stop speaking or just say 'never mind' whenever we would ask her to repeat something that we couldn't quite understand," said Darin Sr. "Darin would say 'Dailyn, don't give up. Take your time and use your words.' He would slow down with her, help her with her sentences and then give her a high five, a tickle, and a huge hug once she completed it and say 'See! You did it pretty girl … Good job!
"You could tell that motivated Dailyn because she would smile and keep going."
Dailyn has certainly influenced Darin's life in a very positive way, as well.
"Dailyn is definitely an inspiration for me because when you meet her you will see that she is always happy and will brighten up any room she is sitting in," said Darin.
Dailyn's infectious personality was on display shortly after a recent Seminole game when she confidently walked up to Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton and asked for a hug before heading back to Tampa with her mom and dad.
"This is the best part of my day," said Hamilton. "It's the cherry on top of a sundae and makes winning tonight even sweeter."
For Darin, it's as simple as it gets.
"My sister is my best friend."
When the Seminoles and the Yellow Jackets walk onto the court for the tip-off for Wednesday night's game, watch Darin Green. Watch for the wave or the kiss. You'll know then that No. 22 is ready to play.
Whatever the gesture is, it's the most meaningful of connections between Florida State's Darin Green Jr. and his sister, 13-year old Dailyn, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was 18 months old. Dailyn has been going to her brothers' games for as long as she can remember. Darin is not completely ready to play until the simplest of acknowledgments from his biggest fan.
"When I was in high school, I could hear her when we played in smaller gyms with smaller crowds," said Darin who will lead the Seminoles into their ACC home opener against Georgia Tech on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center. "But in college, I don't hear her because there are so many more people and the arenas are much bigger. That's why it's incredibly important I catch her eye before each game starts."
Dailyn was diagnosed with Mosaic Down Syndrome at 18 months old. According to Darin Green Sr., Dailyn and Darins' father, the timing of the diagnosis was unusual as Down Syndrome is usually diagnosed during pregnancy or immediately after birth.
There are three types of Down Syndrome. Trisomy 21 (about 95 percent of the people with Down Syndrome have this type), Translocation (about two percent), and Mosaic Down Syndrome (about three percent). Because Dailyn lives her life at such a high level there aren't many challenges she faces on a daily basis.
"I like hanging out and talking to my friends at school." said Dailyn. "I enjoy hanging out with my family. I like watching basketball, and I enjoy singing Bruno Mars' songs."
The thing she enjoys the most about watching her big brother play basketball is what he does best – making 3-point shots.
Shooting the 3-point shot is the part of Darin's game for which he is most well-known. Entering the Seminoles' game against Georgia Tech, he is ranked seventh nationally among current Division I players with 332 career 3-point shots made. He is fifth in the ACC with 33 3-point field goals made and sixth in the nation's top collegiate basketball conference with a .393 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. In only his second season at Florida State, he is already ranked 16th in school history with 124 3-point shots made.
For much of his playing career, Darin hasn't been much more than a deep 3-point shot from home, first in high school at the Wharton School in Tampa, then for the first three years of his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida.
"We have been really blessed as a family that Dailyn hasn't had many challenges," said Darin Sr. "Darin used to help her as she was going through speech therapy early on."
It's something he continues to do, as Darin and Dailyn talk on the phone nearly every day.
"Dailyn and I have always been close," said Darin. "It was easier to see her more often when I went to UCF in Orlando with my family living in Tampa. When I decided to come to Florida State, it became a little further away so we make sure we call or text each other at least once a day."
For Dailyn and Darin, 23, the constant communication is important to their daily lives.
"I call him all the time and I speak with him at least three to four times a week," said Dailyn. 'Whenever I talk to Darin he always says, 'Hey pretty girl' and he tells me to 'be a good girl and keep doing well in school.'"
The incredibly close bond between Dailyn and Darin blossomed immediately according to parents Nena and Darin Green Sr.
"Dailyn tended to stop speaking or just say 'never mind' whenever we would ask her to repeat something that we couldn't quite understand," said Darin Sr. "Darin would say 'Dailyn, don't give up. Take your time and use your words.' He would slow down with her, help her with her sentences and then give her a high five, a tickle, and a huge hug once she completed it and say 'See! You did it pretty girl … Good job!
"You could tell that motivated Dailyn because she would smile and keep going."
Dailyn has certainly influenced Darin's life in a very positive way, as well.
"Dailyn is definitely an inspiration for me because when you meet her you will see that she is always happy and will brighten up any room she is sitting in," said Darin.
Dailyn's infectious personality was on display shortly after a recent Seminole game when she confidently walked up to Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton and asked for a hug before heading back to Tampa with her mom and dad.
"This is the best part of my day," said Hamilton. "It's the cherry on top of a sundae and makes winning tonight even sweeter."
For Darin, it's as simple as it gets.
"My sister is my best friend."
When the Seminoles and the Yellow Jackets walk onto the court for the tip-off for Wednesday night's game, watch Darin Green. Watch for the wave or the kiss. You'll know then that No. 22 is ready to play.
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