http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14269916p-15080874c.html
Martin, García working hard during offseason
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, June 21, 2006
If Kevin Martin is going to listen to anyone, it might just be his former high school coach.
But even Zanesville High's Scott Aronhalt can't seem to convince the Kings shooting guard to slow down his hoops act during the offseason, no matter how many times he stresses the importance of keeping his frame intact. Aronhalt couldn't keep Martin from competing in his hometown Gus Macker tournament in early June, when Martin competed in two games in the three-on-three event.
"Every year, he's trying to get me not to participate (in offseason tournaments), but then he says, 'I know you're not going to listen,' " said Martin, the Zanesville, Ohio native.
Tonight at Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, Kings fans will be glad Aronhalt's attempts have been futile. Martin will play his second game this week in the Sacramento Professional Developmental League at 7 p.m. After scoring 37 points in his SPDL debut Monday, Martin will square off against the team that includes Matt Barnes, now of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Former Kings guard and free-agent-to-be Bobby Jackson has decided not to risk his next contract and won't play until he has signed with a new team. The guard, who has made it clear he has no desire to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, becomes a free agent July 1.
Martin, meanwhile, has no such reservations.
"It keeps me fresh," Martin said of his motivation to play in the offseason. "And those guys down there play hard, because they're trying to prove something too. I take a little beating, but I freshen up my skills."
Similar to what Francisco García has been doing at the Kings' practice facility. The second-year swingman has been a mainstay there lately, working with yet-to-be-named assistant coach Jason Hamm, a former video scout in Memphis with Kings coach Eric Musselman.
While Martin and García work hard, the Kings' front office continues to work out potential draft picks and summer-league candidates. They hold the 19th pick in the June 28 draft and have no second-round selection.
In recent weeks, the Kings have held workouts for Rutgers junior guard Quincy Douby (6-foot-3, 175 pounds), Missouri junior guard Thomas Gardner (6-5, 213), Pacific senior forward Christian Maraker (6-9, 235), Cal senior forward Rod Benson (6-10, 220), and Jameel Watkins (6-10, 270), a former Georgetown forward who was playing for the USBL's Kansas Cagerz. They held second workouts for Stanford senior forward Matt Haryasz (6-10, 230) and Sacramento State senior swingman Jason Harris (6-4, 220).
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Martin, García working hard during offseason
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, June 21, 2006
If Kevin Martin is going to listen to anyone, it might just be his former high school coach.
But even Zanesville High's Scott Aronhalt can't seem to convince the Kings shooting guard to slow down his hoops act during the offseason, no matter how many times he stresses the importance of keeping his frame intact. Aronhalt couldn't keep Martin from competing in his hometown Gus Macker tournament in early June, when Martin competed in two games in the three-on-three event.
"Every year, he's trying to get me not to participate (in offseason tournaments), but then he says, 'I know you're not going to listen,' " said Martin, the Zanesville, Ohio native.
Tonight at Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, Kings fans will be glad Aronhalt's attempts have been futile. Martin will play his second game this week in the Sacramento Professional Developmental League at 7 p.m. After scoring 37 points in his SPDL debut Monday, Martin will square off against the team that includes Matt Barnes, now of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Former Kings guard and free-agent-to-be Bobby Jackson has decided not to risk his next contract and won't play until he has signed with a new team. The guard, who has made it clear he has no desire to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, becomes a free agent July 1.
Martin, meanwhile, has no such reservations.
"It keeps me fresh," Martin said of his motivation to play in the offseason. "And those guys down there play hard, because they're trying to prove something too. I take a little beating, but I freshen up my skills."
Similar to what Francisco García has been doing at the Kings' practice facility. The second-year swingman has been a mainstay there lately, working with yet-to-be-named assistant coach Jason Hamm, a former video scout in Memphis with Kings coach Eric Musselman.
While Martin and García work hard, the Kings' front office continues to work out potential draft picks and summer-league candidates. They hold the 19th pick in the June 28 draft and have no second-round selection.
In recent weeks, the Kings have held workouts for Rutgers junior guard Quincy Douby (6-foot-3, 175 pounds), Missouri junior guard Thomas Gardner (6-5, 213), Pacific senior forward Christian Maraker (6-9, 235), Cal senior forward Rod Benson (6-10, 220), and Jameel Watkins (6-10, 270), a former Georgetown forward who was playing for the USBL's Kansas Cagerz. They held second workouts for Stanford senior forward Matt Haryasz (6-10, 230) and Sacramento State senior swingman Jason Harris (6-4, 220).
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
