Troy University Athletics
Trojans ink 6-8, 225-pound Todd Martin to start early signing period
12/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University men's basketball team has signed Todd Martin from Upland, Calif., as part of its early signing period.
A pure shooter and solid rebounder, the 6-foot-8-inch, 225-pound Martin will join the Trojans as they enter the Sun Belt Conference in 2005-06 and should add to what will be a lot of experience returning from this year's squad.
"We think Todd fits our style of play perfectly," Troy head coach Don Maestri said. "His ability to run the floor, rebound and shoot the 3-pointer makes him perfect for our style of basketball. His is the type of player that, because of his love for the game and his ability, his game will continue to get better. I truly feel that he is the caliber of player that can help us be competitive in the Sun Belt. A lot of our future success will depend on Todd. I think he is one outstanding basketball player."
Martin seemed to share Maestri's enthusiasm about signing with Troy.
"After visiting Troy, it looked like a good opportunity for me," Martin said. "I liked all of the guys and I liked the coaching staff, so it felt like the right choice. Also, Troy's style looks like it's fun to play. I want to have fun and play up and down the court instead of slowing it down."
He played the 2003-04 season at the University of Albany in Albany, N.Y., a member of the Division-I America East Conference. Martin started seven games at shooting guard and averaged over 12 minutes per game as a freshman for the Great Danes, finishing the season ranked in the top 25 in the America East in 3-point shooting percentage.
He led the team in rebounding three times and finished second on the squad in rebounds per minute. He scored a career-high 10 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists against Army and scored seven points twice, once against No. 9 Pittsburgh and again against Boston University. Against Boston, he also had team highs with eight rebounds and four assists. He pulled down a career-high nine boards against Siena.
Martin was a standout prep player for Upland High School. He played three seasons for the coach John MCNally, leading the Highlanders to a combined 75-16 record, including a 33-1 record and a California Interscholastic Federation Championship as a sophomore. Martin was a two-time first-team all-league selection in the 1AAA-Southern California Large-School Division and was a second-team All-CIF southern selection.
He was named to the All-Inland Valley and All-San Bernardino All-Star teams after his senior season, when he averaged 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists per game. He also recorded 14 double-doubles as a senior, leading the Highlanders to a 22-7 record. Todd was named his team's MVP and team captain in both his junior and senior seasons and received several honors during his final year of prep basketball. Prep-WestHoops.com selected Martin as one of the top 50 players on the west coast, while he was also named to the Top 10 List at the invitation-only Adidas Double Pump West Coast Camp.
Martin's work ethic and desire to continue to get better stood out when the Trojan coaching staff was recruiting him.
"When you look at the definition of a gym rat, you will see Todd Martin," Troy associate head coach David Felix, who recruited Martin, said. "He has made a commitment to be as good a college basketball player as you possibly can. I've never been around a kid as committed to getting better as Todd is."
Martin will join a Trojan program that has won three consecutive and four out of the last five Atlantic-Sun Conference titles. The Trojans finished the 2003-04 season ranked first nationally in 3-point field goals per game with 11.7, second in scoring offense, fourth in steals per game, seventh in assists per game and ninth in scoring margin. Troy finished last season with a 24-7 overall record and an 18-2 mark in the A-Sun, earning the school's first-ever berth in the postseason NIT, one year after advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
This season will be the Trojans' last in the A-Sun before they join the Sun Belt in all sports beginning in the fall of 2005.
