By Shane Donaldson
Associate Athletic Director, Communication and New Media

KINGSTON, R.I. - When he began his high school career, Tim Martin II was a six-foot point guard. Four years and eight inches later, he is a versatile forward with the potential to play multiple spots on the floor.

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Martin figured to work most often at the three and four spots on the floor, though he played in spots 2-5 throughout his high school career at Summit Country Day. An All-Miami Valley Conference First-Team selection there, Martin points to versatility as a strength in his game.

"I can shoot the ball. When my high school career started, I was six feet tall, and I was a point guard," Martin said. "Then I had a huge growth spurt, and now I am 6-8. I've been able to retain the (ball-handling) skills while developing into different positions. So there is versatility for me on the court. On the defensive end, I can guard multiple positions, even with my height.

"When a big is guarding me, it feels like Christmas," Martin said with a smile. "I like being able to attack that kind of matchup, especially if I know I am faster than them. I am already used to going against smaller guards, so I understand the different types of matchups I can help create."

Before committing to Rhode Island, Martin had offers from Miami (Ohio), Western Carolina and Florida International, as well as hometown schools Cleveland State and Kent State. However, it was Martin's family connection with URI assistant coach James Whitford that drew him to the Rams. Martin and LJ Stocks - Whitford's son - were teammates at Summit Country Day.   

"The fact that I had a connection to somebody on the staff was big," Martin said. "He saw me play for four years. He has seen me grow throughout my high school career. He believed in me, and that helped me trust in myself coming out here. A lot of people talk about homesickness when it comes time for college. For me, this felt like a home away from home. Having somebody that I know and can talk to was important, especially when it is somebody my parents and I know we can trust.

"When LJ ended up coming to our school, Coach Whitford would come to some of the games. When he first started coming, I was nothing to look at, for real. Throughout the years, he saw me grow and keep getting taller. I was able to get stronger and develop my basketball skills."

Also helping develop those basketball skills was Martin's father, Tim. The elder Martin was a Division I player himself, beginning his career at Kent State before transferring to Ohio State.  

"I started playing with my dad when I was in second grade," Martin II said. "He would bring me to our local gym and help me learn how to shoot on the short rims. Occasionally we would play against each other. He always won, but he had a little bit of an advantage."

Basketball has always been a big part of life for the Martin family. Tim's older sister Gabrielle played at NAIA school Siena Heights before transferring to Miami-Hamilton.

"I learned to listen to my dad. He has been through everything. As I got older, I understood that he has been through the experiences I haven't had yet," Martin II said. "To have him and my sister - she started all four years in high school - they had been able to do things I wanted to do. I had people I could listen to after my games, so I was always learning.

"My mom, she didn't play any sports, but since the rest of the family was all in basketball, she ended up really learning the game. Sometimes she picks up on things and has input too. Just having that support system at the games, it was like having access to replay, kind of. They could help me figure out things I could work to improve on."

Since arriving on campus this summer, Martin has been working with the other bigs on the Rhody roster. With an affable nature, he has been able to connect quickly off the court with his new teammates.

"It definitely takes a lot of nervousness away. I mean, I am 13 hours away from my home, and when I first came, I barely knew anybody except for Coach Whit," Martin said. "Being able to connect with the other players super fast was big. Within the first week, I had met pretty much everyone and felt like I knew them. You form a quick bond, which is nice.

"Matas Deniusas is pretty cool off the court. Getting a chance to play with a foreign player, it's really cool to learn a little bit about his culture," Martin said. "The first person I met here was RJ Johnson, who is a graduate assistant with the team now. He has been cool. Fun fact, my dad actually loves his music. He has RJ on his playlist, so we've been listening on road trips. I'll break out my headphones and have RJ's music playing.

"All the bigs I have been working out with, Javon Perry, Nedas Raupelis, Matas, Mo (Mouhamed Sow) and sometimes (Jahmere) Tripp, they have all been cool. Barrett Loer really got me introduced to the team. He got me into the group chat, which was nice. They all really work to make you feel welcome."


SUMMER SERIES
July 28 - Defense is a Point of Emphasis
July 23 - Sherman Used To Taking a Leap
July 21 - Chatman Learning From Veterans
July 16 - Team Chemistry In Focus For Summer Camp
July 14 - Preparation Has Led to Success for Williamson
July 9 - Fontenet Ready To Make Big Impact
July 7 - Hometown Bond Helps Deniusas, Raupelis Adjust