Senior Forward Brings Experience to Men’s Basketball Team

Men's Basketball

Posted: Nov 23, 2018

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The well-traveled Josh Martin will end his college career with Santa Clara men's basketball.

An athletic, physical 6-foot-7 forward, Martin joined the Broncos in the summer as a graduate transfer from Cal Poly.

Martin had eight career double-doubles, including a career-best in 2017-18, entering this year. He brings experience to a program with five true freshmen.

The Seattle, Washington, native, played his freshman season at Minnesota.

Q: When did you begin playing basketball, and how did you get into it?
A: I was probably 4 or 5 years old. My mom and dad just wanted me to play sports and to get out of the house and make friends. I fell in love with basketball more than with any other sport.

Q: What other sports did you play?
A: I really only played basketball. I played a little bit of baseball, and I didn't want to get hurt playing football.

Q: What's one of your fondest sports memories?
A:When one of my former teammates hit three clutch free-throws to beat our rival when I was at Cal Poly. He then hit three free-throws with no time on the clock to beat UCSB last year.

Q: Do you have a favorite NBA team?
A: It was the Supersonics, back when they were a team.

Q: What professional athletes do you model your game after?
A: I like to think I play like Andre Iguodala or Kawhi Leonard. As somebody who plays really hard on defense and does the right things on offense. I was never asked to be a scorer or offensive threat, so I knew defense and rebounding is what I could do to get ahead in the game.

Q: Did you have any family members who inspired you to play basketball?
A: My dad inspired me to play sports and be good. He played college and pro football. Knowing that, I wanted to achieve the same things that he did. That's what propelled me into playing college basketball and hopefully into the pro ranks.

Q: What are you plans when you finish playing in college?
A: To go pro, or the highest level I can play at. Also, my dad is a licensed contractor and builds homes. I'd like to get my realtors license, so that he can build them and I can sell them. That's my little father-son business idea. I'd definitely enjoy doing that.

Q: What factors were involved in your decision to transfer to Santa Clara?
A: I just wanted to go somewhere for my last year where I'd be happy. All the coaches talked about how they had the confidence in me to play well. All I needed was for somebody to tell me they believed in me and that's what Coach Sendek and all the assistants did.

VIDEO | Josh Martin (@iamJawshMartin) brings experience to a team with five freshmen. The athletic forward is appreciative of the easy summer transition to the #SCUBroncos. Get to know Martin ▶️https://t.co/XjuoYOCwSQ #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/ZY7CrUnDGY
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 24, 2018

Q: How has your experience been on the team so far?
A: It's been really good. I have a really good relationship with all the guys on the team and the coaching staff. Everybody is very personable. They care about you, not just as a basketball player, but as a person. I really appreciate that, it's something I've been looking for in a staff. All the guys on the team are really good players, and when that's complemented with good personalities and humble men, it's really easy to play.

Q: What are some activities you like to do besides basketball?
A: I enjoy going to see new movies with my girlfriend.

Q: What is something most people might not know about you?
A: What you see is what you get with me. I know my name in sign language and know how to say thank you. I've only utilized thank you one time in my life. I got my wisdom teeth pulled out, waved at the doctor to come here and signed 'thank you.'