Draymond Green Shares How Working With A Sports Psychiatrist Improved His 3-Point Average

Draymond Green, a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors since being drafted in 2012, is redefining his game this season with career-best three-point shooting numbers. Known for his passion and tenacity on the court, the four-time NBA champion has a surprising statistic this season—he’s been hitting career-best numbers from beyond the arc.

In the 2023-2024 season, Green posted a 39.5% shooting average from three-point range, which was an improvement from his earlier career averages. This season, however, he’s elevated his stats even further, hitting 45% of his three-point attempts. On Thursday, a clip emerged from “Open Run with Rachel Nichols” where Nichols highlighted the transformation, noting that just a few seasons ago, Green’s shooting average was as low as 20%. Green attributes the transformation to not only physical training but also the mental work he has undertaken with a sports psychiatrist.

She asks Green what made him choose the three-point shot as his area of focus. Green responds, “I did a lot of work to get to this space. Obviously working with my trainer, Travis, but I also did a lot of mental work. Meeting with our sports psychiatrist and telling him the things bothering me when I’m getting ready to shoot or if I’m putting myself in a space to where I’m kind of hiding so I don’t get the shot.”

Green talks about a pivotal moment in a recent game where he saw his mindset shift put to work. He recalls, “I started the game 0-3. To take that fourth three was a huge mental hurdle for me because I started 0-3, and I shot the fourth one and it went in. But I didn’t shoot the fourth one with any hesitation like, ‘Oh, I’m 0-3.’ Before, I’d be 0-3 like, ‘I can’t miss anymore this game—I’m not going to shoot again.’ It’s just a totally different way of thinking, and it took me a lot of mental work to get there.”

This shift in mindset reflects the profound impact that working with a sports psychiatrist can have on an athlete’s performance. By addressing his concerns with a licensed professional, Green learned to trust his process regardless of setbacks early on in the game. His story is a reminder that athletic success requires more than physical skill—it demands mental strength.

As a concierge sports psychiatrist, I have seen how addressing mental hurdles can have a tremendously positive impact on an athlete’s performance. Just like athletes undergo significant physical training, it’s just as important to train the mind to be able to sharpen focus and develop resilience. Mental performance work isn’t just about overcoming fear; it’s about creating a cognitive framework that fosters confidence, focus, and resilience.

Green’s recent interview also shows a broader cultural shift in professional sports. In the past, mental health has been stigmatized and at times athletes were even dissuaded from bringing up these types of concerns. Today, athletes like Green are using their platforms to share how prioritizing mental well-being can elevate their performance. Green’s willingness share his experience of seeking support is paving the way for greater acceptance of sports psychiatry and other mental health services across professional sports leagues.