Recruiting Report: Jesus Martinez (2016)
Jesus Martinez is anxious for one last chance to show college coaches what he’s all about. Martinez, a 6-foot-8 unsigned senior at The Pinnacle, is set to begin his final AAU spring season with the Colorado Chaos, planning to play…
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Continue ReadingJesus Martinez is anxious for one last chance to show college coaches what he’s all about.
Martinez, a 6-foot-8 unsigned senior at The Pinnacle, is set to begin his final AAU spring season with the Colorado Chaos, planning to play with the Chaos 2017 group coached by Lou Vullo until he is signed with a program.
“I’ve had a couple junior colleges looking at me,” Martinez said. “And a couple of Division II schools.”
Martinez is coming off a brilliant senior season in which he averaged 19.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game.
“Jesus has several strengths to his game,” said Vullo, who also coaches the big man at Pinnacle. “He is a very long and athletic big who runs the floor very well in transition. He has good feet for a big. Plays great defense and is a tremendous shot blocker. He does a great job of timing shots and staying out of foul trouble.
“Great hands and finishes around the basket well. Has improved on his jump shot. He can now play with his back to the basket and facing the basket. Very coachable, hard-working and committed. He practices and plays hard all the time. Great teammate. Gets along with everyone.”
Martinez has proven worthy of the high praise with his play, and for schools who are still seeking a big late in the recruiting cycle, he believes he can bring a lot to the table.
“I work hard on defense and I know how to block shots,” Martinez said.
Martinez said he was thankful to play for a coach who has emphasized the inside-out game, letting him make decisions with the ball in his hands from the post.
“They’d throw it into me and then I could score or kick out to open teammates,” he said. “I like playing like that.”
Martinez believes he’s close to finding the right program that can help him improve as a basketball player, and beyond.
“It’s been a dream of mine,” he said, “to play basketball in college and get an education.