Draymond Green urged his fellow members of the Michigan State University community to explore additional avenues for commemorating the tragic loss of the late Spartans star, who tragically lost his life in a shooting incident on Monday.

Following the emotional victory of his team, the Golden State Warriors, over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, NBA star Draymond Green announced his intention to give back in honor of his late friend. During a postgame interview, Green, 32, revealed that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to discuss the game, expressing his emotions were “all over the place” and admitting his reluctance to cry in public. Instead, he mentioned his plans to address his feelings on his podcast, where he could pause and process as needed.

The loss that deeply affected Green was the tragic death of his friend Adreian Payne, who was fatally shot earlier that same day in Florida at the age of 31. Payne, a former Michigan State University basketball star, had been a teammate of Green’s from 2010 to 2012. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident, stating that Payne was taken to the hospital after the shooting but was later pronounced dead.

In a gesture of remembrance and support, Green and his wife, Hazel Renee, announced their intention to donate $100,000 to a fund established in Payne’s honor. Additionally, Green called upon the Michigan State University community to come together and find meaningful ways to honor their late teammate. Whether it be naming a campus facility after him or offering scholarships in his memory, Green urged his fellow Spartans to unite in honoring Payne’s legacy.

Later, Green released an emotional episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Podcast,” titled “A Tribute to Adreian Payne,” as a heartfelt homage to his departed friend.

Alongside his monetary contribution, Green paid tribute to his late friend during the Warriors game with a symbolic gesture. As reported by The Mercury News, Green inscribed “RIP AP” and “Long Live 5” on his shoes as a visual homage to Payne. Notably, Payne, who had stints with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic, wore the number 5 jersey during his time as Green’s teammate.