Martin looking for first scholarship offer
Athletic and bouncy power forwards, who can block a shot at one end and have three-point shooting range on the other, are always in high demand, whether for the fall or spring signing period. However, players that fit that description really see their interest soar during the April signing period.
Montgomery, Ala., native Derrick Martin could fit that description with a strong senior year at Flora MacDonald in Red Springs, N.C. The lanky 6-foot-8, 200-pound Martin has shown flashes of his ability, but is still striving to put it together.
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Martin flashed his long-range shooting in scoring 12 points against Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., on Nov. 11. He then had freaky stat line of four points, 13 rebounds, eight blocked shots and five steals against Concord (N.C.) Cannon School on Nov. 20 at the Flora MacDonald Tournament.
Colleges are watching his development on and off the court closely, including NC State.
"I'm getting recruited by Alabama, Mississippi State, Murray State, Louisiana Tech and NC State," Martin said. "I haven't gotten a scholarship offer yet."
Martin, who is cousins with NC State commit Luke Cothron, a 6-foot-8 forward, has joined Cothron in checking out NCSU this fall at various football games or Red Rally at Reynolds Coliseum. Cothron and Martin are both being recruited by NC State assistant coach Monte Towe.
"I like NC State real good," said Martin, who attended Carver High in Montgomery last year. "I like the atmosphere and the fans are really into their sports teams there. I was amazed at how they came to me and Luke."
Martin is cognizant that this is a big final season for him and wants to get better. He enjoyed success this past spring and summer with the Alabama Challenge traveling team that played in Nike-sponsored tournaments.
"I want to win a state championship, improve my game more, improve my ballhandling and get stronger," Martin said. "I think I can play both small forward and power forward.
"It was real good playing with Alabama Challenge, playing with a lot of good players from the state."
Martin said his outside shooting ability came through simple hard work.
"I just shot a lot in my backyard growing up," Martin said. "My dad would tell me to shoot longer shots and work on my touch."
Martin needed to improve his academics, and Cothron needed help inside this season. Being reunited has worked out well for both of them.
"Luke has taught me a lot of stuff about down-low post moves that I didn't know about," Martin said. "He really has taken me under my wing. I do miss Montgomery, but I am glad that I'm somewhere new. I can stay out of trouble since there are a lot of things going on [back home]."