Prospect Spotlight: Nigel Martin (2019)
Nigel Martin (2019) of John Hay is an athletic combo guard. The 6’5” Martin averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds a game as a sophomore while playing in the rugged Senate Conference.
“I can get to the basket easily and because I’m 6-5 my length allows me to finish. I can also knock down jumpers and have a high basketball IQ,” said Martin when asked to describe his game. “I have a great work ethic,” he added.
John Hay coach Chris Sanders raves about Martin who he believes projects out as a high Division I prospect.
“He’s a combo. He can play the ‘3’ but I play him at guard and I might even have him play point for us,” Sanders said.
He’s also a heady player and is building up game experience as he’s already played two years of varsity basketball.
“He’s a slasher; can knock down the outside shot, he can swoop to the rim and finish as well. He’s a very finesse player around the basket,” Sanders went on.
Martin is a banger, too. He averaged seven rebounds a game as a sophomore and during an invite-only open gym at Gilmour Academy earlier this month he was one of the more physical players on the floor, even uncorking ferocious dunk that rattled the rim and caused a buzz in the gym.
In game situations, he has displayed an ability to knock down open jumpers and get to the rack while finishing against contact with a nice soft inside touch.
Martin attends the John Hay, a school that requires an entrance exam and is considered the top academic school in the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools.