Every offseason a new crop of freshmen and transfers help bolster Power Four rosters, and Florida guard [autotag]Alijah Martin[/autotag] might be one of those difference-makers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.
While Martin didn’t make the top-50 list of newcomers in college basketball, he is the first name mentioned in an accompanying list of players to watch.
“Martin burst onto the national scene during Florida Atlantic’s run to the Final Four in 2023 before averaging 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds last season with the Owls,” Borzello wrote. “All reports out of Gainesville point to him being one of the team’s best players this season.”
Martin recently exploded for 32 points in Florida’s second secret scrimmage of the preseason. Known for his defensive prowess, the FAU transfer is looking to add to improve on offense in hopes of getting drafted next summer.
A three-and-D wing for his former program, Martin might line up at the two for Florida, or at least be mildly interchangeable with Will Richard at the two and three.
He’s also a veteran presence on a team that’s hoping to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season. Martin helped lead Florida Atlantic to its first Final Four appearance, so he knows what it takes to get to the final stages of the Big Dance.
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