2017 Rivals150 point guard Remy Martin commits to ASU
For several months now Chatsworth, Calif. point guard Remy Martin has held Arizona State in very high regard, and a pledge to the Sun Devils was a matter of when not if. On Thursday morning, Martin didn't delay the inevitable and committed to the school and did so today for a very good reason.
“Remy was supposed to come for a visit (to Tempe) next week and commit then,” said Remy’s father, Sam Martin. “But he was invited to the NBAPA100 camp, so that was a conflict. So he wanted to get the commitment out of the way and just concentrate on basketball.”
ASU’s first-year head coach Bobby Hurley has assembled a 2016 recruiting class which ranks the highest in school history, which naturally speaks greatly as to his impact in attracting high caliber recruits such as Martin. This was a fact that didn't go unnoticed by Martin’s family.
“We love Coach Hurley and everything about the school and the administration,” Martin said. “It was all positive and we figured that if we found something that we really liked we should take advantage of.
“I made Remy sit down with me and watch the (ESPN) 30 for 30 on Coach Hurley. After he watched it he said ‘Ok dad, I see what you’re saying.’ What he did in his career does resonate and Coach Hurley put a lot of emphasis on Remy coming there and being the team’s leader. I want my son learning from someone like Bobby Hurley. He’s a very trustworthy guy.”
Aside from the basketball aspect that ASU presented, Martin and wife were deeply impressed by the school’s academics and that ultimately was significant in the decision process.
“I spoke with several of the academic advisors. “Martin commented, “and I also spoke to (Senior Associate Athletics Director) Scott Graham and he told me that Remy could earn his degree in three years and in his fourth year he could be one year into his Master’s degree. That’s all I wanted to hear, how do you say no to that? Remy is a very good student and to go to a school that he will have the best of both worlds is awesome.
“So this wasn’t just a basketball decision. Talking to Scott Graham and the advisors really won me and my wife over.”
The 6-0 155-pound Martin has a lightning-quick first step and his overall athleticism is a trait that was brought up by ASU several times during the recruiting process.
“Coach Hurley also likes his passing skills and ability to lead,” Martin remarked. “He thinks that Remy has a lot of good qualities and he can sharpen those skills and make him a good player. I told Coach Hurley that if he can make Remy just one-third of a player that he (Hurley) was then we will be OK.
“Remy is going to have an opportunity to be the program’s leader and whether he takes advantage of that opportunity or not is up to him.”
The point guard had offers from Marquette and Connecticut and was seriously considering those schools, as well as Kansas and San Diego State. He also has reported offers from UCLA and USC.
Martin’s previously scheduled visit to Tempe next week was going to include 2017 four-star forward prospect and Sierra Canyon High School teammate, Cody Riley. While the two may visit at a later date in the fall, the point guard’s father said: “That’s his best friend on the team and I’m sure he will be working on his to come to Arizona State.”
