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http://www.nba.com/kings/news/A_Closer_Look_The_Rook-129192-58.html
A Closer Look: The Rook
by Chris Navalta
Kings President Geoff Petrie knows just how to draft them the same way he knows how to trade them. And even though Kevin Martin wasn’t much of a household name in the college ranks, being selected in the first round should give Kings fans reason to believe he is in Sacramento’s future plans.
Coming out of Western Carolina, Martin had his best season in his junior year, averaging just under 25 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Peaking at just the right time, Martin saw his opportunity to take his game to the next level.
“I decided I was ready. So, I made the jump,” said Martin, who decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2004 NBA draft. “I’m glad I did. Because so far, it’s been a great experience.”
Coming out of Zanesville, Ohio – where he also played high school ball, Martin hit the ground running once he arrived at Western Carolina. In his freshman year, he averaged 22.1 points and was named to the National All-Freshman team, according to collegeinsider.com. Since then, he eventually became the school’s All-Time leading scorer since the program moved to Division I in 1976. After playing his final season with the Catamounts, Martin finished the 2003-04 campaign ranked second in NCAA Division I in scoring and won his second-straight Southern Conference scoring title.
Last summer, after being drafted 26th overall by the Kings, Martin didn’t cool down. He led the Kings contingent summer team in scoring (22.4 ppg) and also averaged 6.8 rebounds 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals.
One thing Martin has had to adjust to is going from a small school in the south to the bright lights and big arenas of NBA basketball.
“It was a little overwhelming,” Martin said. “But that’s what you work for. So you can’t help but be excited. I said to myself: ‘You set my mind and your dream came true. So keep playing like the way you’ve been playing it.’”
Martin also finds it comforting that with the Kings ongoing success, he can now take his time to develop into a solid NBA player.
“They know it’s going to take time for me to develop,” Martin said. “But they’ve been there to help me workout and everything. So far, everyone’s been coming through.”
Martin has played sparingly so far this season. But everytime he’s been called upon, he’s been solid. While the team was awaiting the arrival of Cuttino Mobley, who was acquired from Orlando for Doug Christie, Martin filled the team’s void with 17 points in 18 minutes against Denver.
Martin doesn’t mind taking a backseat for now. In the meantime, he’ll study the game and wait for his opportunity.
“I just like to watch the game and see how it flows,” Martin said. “I want to see how different players are like. Because I know in the future, I’m going to be there. I just want to keep watching the game and learn.”
A Closer Look: The Rook
by Chris Navalta
Kings President Geoff Petrie knows just how to draft them the same way he knows how to trade them. And even though Kevin Martin wasn’t much of a household name in the college ranks, being selected in the first round should give Kings fans reason to believe he is in Sacramento’s future plans.
Coming out of Western Carolina, Martin had his best season in his junior year, averaging just under 25 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Peaking at just the right time, Martin saw his opportunity to take his game to the next level.
“I decided I was ready. So, I made the jump,” said Martin, who decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2004 NBA draft. “I’m glad I did. Because so far, it’s been a great experience.”
Coming out of Zanesville, Ohio – where he also played high school ball, Martin hit the ground running once he arrived at Western Carolina. In his freshman year, he averaged 22.1 points and was named to the National All-Freshman team, according to collegeinsider.com. Since then, he eventually became the school’s All-Time leading scorer since the program moved to Division I in 1976. After playing his final season with the Catamounts, Martin finished the 2003-04 campaign ranked second in NCAA Division I in scoring and won his second-straight Southern Conference scoring title.
Last summer, after being drafted 26th overall by the Kings, Martin didn’t cool down. He led the Kings contingent summer team in scoring (22.4 ppg) and also averaged 6.8 rebounds 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals.
One thing Martin has had to adjust to is going from a small school in the south to the bright lights and big arenas of NBA basketball.
“It was a little overwhelming,” Martin said. “But that’s what you work for. So you can’t help but be excited. I said to myself: ‘You set my mind and your dream came true. So keep playing like the way you’ve been playing it.’”
Martin also finds it comforting that with the Kings ongoing success, he can now take his time to develop into a solid NBA player.
“They know it’s going to take time for me to develop,” Martin said. “But they’ve been there to help me workout and everything. So far, everyone’s been coming through.”
Martin has played sparingly so far this season. But everytime he’s been called upon, he’s been solid. While the team was awaiting the arrival of Cuttino Mobley, who was acquired from Orlando for Doug Christie, Martin filled the team’s void with 17 points in 18 minutes against Denver.
Martin doesn’t mind taking a backseat for now. In the meantime, he’ll study the game and wait for his opportunity.
“I just like to watch the game and see how it flows,” Martin said. “I want to see how different players are like. Because I know in the future, I’m going to be there. I just want to keep watching the game and learn.”
