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Former ASU G Remy Martin Commits to Kansas, Plans to Go Through NBA Draft Process
May 18, 2021
Former Arizona State star Remy Martin has committed to Kansas but left the door open for a possible jump to the NBA.
"I just want to be able to play for a historic program," Martin told Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today. "I’m very excited to play for Coach Self and get my master's degree. I'm hoping to interact with the fans and play in such a historic place like Phog Allen Fieldhouse."
The 6'0" guard averaged 19.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 23 games for the Sun Devils this past season.
Martin entered the transfer portal Tuesday. His father, Sam, told The Athletic's Doug Haller the three-time All-Pac 12 player was "just trying to hedge his bets a little bit" and is "full-bore, straight-ahead on trying to get to the league."
Martin also flirted with the NBA prior to the 2020-21 season before eventually returning to Arizona State.
With the NCAA allowing fall and winter sports athletes to gain an extra year of eligibility, suiting up for the Jayhawks will likely allow him to showcase his skills better than he could have with the Sun Devils. While it's still early, Kansas figures to be a Final Four contender in 2021-22, and the addition of Martin tips the scales even more in the program's favor.
Brian Bennett and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ranked him as the best player in the transfer portal:
"But Martin has a bulldog mentality that makes up for some of his shortcomings, and he's one of the few guys in the transfer portal who can get you 20 points a night in a power conference. He finished his Arizona State career ranked sixth all-time in scoring and second in assists. ... He's a winning player who could be one of the prizes of the portal."
Especially if Ochai Agbaji, who's also exploring his draft prospects, returns to Lawrence, the Jayhawks could have a dynamic backcourt combination. Agbaji was the team's leading scorer at 14.1 points per game.
From an NBA perspective, Martin might still have some work to do. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman didn't list him among the top 50 players on May 4, and he was absent on ESPN's list of the top 100 available.
The downside for Martin is that he'd be 24 by the time the 2022 NBA draft rolls around if he chooses to wait. Obi Toppin was considered an older player in his draft class, and he was 22 when the New York Knicks selected him eighth overall.
Whatever he decides, Martin has until July 19 to make up his mind.