Meet The Inseparable Mr. Flynn And Mr. Greene

Jonny Flynn and Donte' Greene can't seem to get enough of one another.

It's as if everywhere one player goes, the other one is there also. They participated in the 2006 USA U18 National Team Trials and were selected to play together on the 2006 USA Basketball U18 team. They also played for the USA team in the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit and in the 2007 McDonald's All-American Game. Over the next few days, the duo will attempt to add one more team to their growing resum� - spots on USA Basketball's U19 World Championship Team. Then it's off to Syracuse University where they each signed letters of intent.

Individually Flynn and Greene worked hard to produce decorated high school careers.

As a sophomore at Niagara Falls High School (N.Y.) in 2004-05, Flynn averaged 15.2 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 5.6 apg. and 1.5 spg. while shooting 48.1 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from behind the arc and 89.8 percent from the free throw line. His efforts helped the Wolverines to a 29-1 finish and a state championship in 2005 and earned him the first of three all-conference first team selections. In 2007, Flynn added a number of honors to go with another all-conference first team nod. He was named to the 2007 Parade Magazine All-America second team and to the EA Sports All-America first team. The Basketball Coaches Association of New York named him Mr. Basketball 2007, and Gatorade named him its New York state player of the year after he averaged 26.7 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 6.0 apg. and 5.0 spg. while Niagara Falls finished 20-3.

Parade Magazine tabbed Greene (Towson Catholic H.S. / Baltimore, Md.) on its 2007 All-America first team while EA Sports reserved a spot for him on its second team. Gatorade chose Greene as its Maryland state player of the year in 2007. He was named to the Nike Brand All-America Team and selected to play in the 2007 Jordan Classic after he averaged 18.4 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 3.0 apg. 2.1 spg. and 4.3 bpg. as a senior in 2006-07. Towson finished 32-6 and won its second consecutive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League titles.

Flynn and Greene caught up with usabasketball.com after the first session of the U19 Team Trials to chat about first impressions, laughing so hard till it hurts, and about taking the next step together at the U19 World Championship Team Trials.

You two have played together at a number of events. How do you feel you like you are progressing, either individually or as a duo?
Donte' Greene: At U18s we weren't top-notch yet. We were still learning to play together and learning the basics. At the McDonald's game it really clicked. Our first practice here was the same thing. We did a couple alley-oops and just kept working hard. I feel like my perimeter game and jump shot has definitely progressed since last year. My strength and foot speed has gotten better too.

Jonny Flynn: At U18s it was all about building chemistry and getting a feel for where each other was at on the court, things like that. Now we're adding to that.

It's been a while, but can you remember your first impression of one another?
DG: Jonny was smaller than he is now, but he had that swagger - never cocky just confident.

JF: It was on an unofficial visit to Syracuse. Everybody's just shooting around. I look at him and think, �Man, he's 6-10, he can shoot and dribble. He was very Carmeloesque and not just because he's from Baltimore.

How do you feel about continuing to play in USA Basketball events?
DG: Playing last year makes the process easier. Now I know you gotta come from the first jump. Rebounding, boxing out, you gotta do it all. We have a real advantage knowing that.

JF: It feels real good because USA Basketball is a big thing. It's all a big family. Here everybody's coming up to you and treating you nice. There's a lot of love. A lot of love.

Both of you signed letters to play for Syracuse this fall. How does this summer and past experiences help you in preparation for the next step?
DG: Playing in Baltimore, there are plenty players that have gone to Syracuse. Once the opportunity to go there came along, I realized that it was a great chance for me to make an impact, and this summer only helps. Going to a world championship, you have to have physical and mental toughness. It's something that you can't get in college. It's different.

JF: Chemistry. You can't teach chemistry. On and off the court, this is helping us so much.

What's your relationship like with USA Basketball Collegiate Committee chair and �Cuse head coach Jim Boeheim?
DG: Jim Boeheim's my guy. When he recruited me after my junior year, it wasn't like this �I'm going to kiss your butt to get you to come here' thing. It was, �If you don't come here, I'm going to tell you what you need to be successful.' He's a laid-back, cool guy.

JF: Coach Boeheim's going to tell you the truth. If you play bad, he'll tell you, if you play good he'll make sure you keep working hard. He's not going to sugarcoat it.

Spending all this time together, do you ever get tired of one another?
DG: No, not at all because Jonny can be the funniest guy. We're just sitting there and he'll say something totally off the wall.

JF: I never get tired of Donte'. He's always cracking jokes and lightening the mood. There's never a dull moment.

Can you share any off-court memories?
DG: Last year during the weekend of the McDonald's game, we visited the Ronald McDonald House (a place where seriously ill children and their families can stay while receiving treatment), we had a party for the kids and we had a ball just hanging out.

JF: I just remember at the Hoop Summit there were tears coming to my eyes and my stomach hurt because we were laughing so hard.

Obviously you want to make the team out of trials, but what other goals do you have for this event?
DG: Last year at U18s I didn't play much, I was just there learning. This year I want to start to contribute.

JF: I definitely want to win. With winning comes exposure. Also, if the NBA doesn't work out, maybe I can play overseas.