The Indiana Pacers have been impressed by the maturity of Gerald Green, who is now 26 after long ago entering the NBA as a direct from high school teenager.

"He's matured to a totally different level," said Danny Granger, who was taken one spot ahead of Green at No. 17 in 2005. "I remember when he won the dunk contest to now. He's a lot older. He's been overseas, so he realizes what he was missing. He's really thankful to be back in the NBA. He's an outstanding player."

The Pacers signed Green to a three-year, $10 million contract to become their primary wing scorer off the bench.

"We looked at his decision making," coach Frank Vogel said. "We knew he could dunk the ball, we knew he could shoot the ball, but can he play the game? You watch his pick-and-rolls, you watch his attacks, with his helps. His decision making was far advanced in my mind when we evaluated him."

The Pacers believe Green represents a big upgrade from last season.

"I think my basketball IQ blows away what it was when I first came in the league," Green said. "I figure if I had the same smarts that I have now earlier in my career, I'd probably still be in Boston. You live and learn and I learned off my mistakes."