When Jarell Martin announced his decision to go to the NBA Draft, fans and analysts began criticizing how his game could translate into pro play.
Though Martin’s decision seemed like a foregone conclusion after the sophomore season he had, not many people are buying his draft stock — and with good reason.
Martin mostly played small forward during his freshman season and frankly, he looked pretty bad. He injured his right leg on the first possession of his career, and the season didn’t improve much afterward.
After missing almost all of the first three games, Martin struggled. His jump shot wasn’t as reliable as it needed to be, and his feet weren’t quick enough to keep up with opposing small forwards on defense.
During the press conference Tuesday, LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones said Martin struggled on the wing his freshman year because of the lingering ankle injury.
The holes in his game brought Martin back for a second year with the Tigers, and it definitely helped.
Whether it was the injury or the shift in positions, he looked like a completely different player this season. Martin transitioned to power forward and thrived, collecting All-SEC First Team honors while averaging nearly a double-double with about 17 points and nine rebounds per game.
In the new role, Martin became the quick player defenders couldn’t stay in front of, ran the break well and developed a respectable jumper. He found his niche as a cornerman thanks to an improved shooting touch and quickness off the dribble.
Martin named LaMarcus Aldridge as the player he wants to emulate. While he isn’t currently the polished shooter Aldridge is, he can get to the rim more quickly off the dribble than Aldridge.
If he develops Aldridge’s shooting, he could be a superstar, but that’s a bit of wishful thinking. Martin will make his money getting to the rim like he did during his sophomore season.
The improved play helped his poise as well, and it started with the Texas Tech game Nov. 18. He posted 17 points and 12 rebounds against the Red Raiders, but the changing moment was his windmill jam in the second half.
His between-the-legs throwdown against Florida on Feb. 21 has long since overshadowed that dunk, but it must have given him a huge confidence boost in the second game of the season.
In the rest of the Tigers’ big games — West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas and in postseason play — Martin averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds. He wasn’t afraid to play in the big lights, which will help him on the biggest stage in professional basketball.
Draftexpress.com has Martin going 27th overall in its mock draft, putting him just inside the first round. But he’ll go sooner than that. Martin has potential to blossom into an all-star, which should propel him to the mid-first round.
After the 10th pick in the Draft, teams start throwing spears in the ocean and hoping they hit something resembling a rotation player. With the NBA transitioning to a more up-tempo, run-and-gun style, forwards who can move their feet have become a hot commodity.
Martin is that type of big player and proved it this season with LSU. If a team that uses a faster pace (i.e. not the Grizzlies) takes the Baton Rouge native, he can immediately have at least a minor impact on a team.
I’m not saying Martin will contend for Rookie of the Year or ever be up for a Most Valuable Player award. But he could be a starter in a year or two, provided he puts in the work to grow as a shooter and a defender.
If Martin makes the same development in his game as he did this season, he should have a long career in the league.
Brian Pellerin is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Kenner, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Pellerin_TDR.