Grant Martin Makes Basketball His Life
Grant Martin is a student athlete that has been pursuing a career in basketball and showing up for himself in his achievements throughout the season. In a one-on-one interview with Martin, he tells us about his expectations he has for himself in the 2023-2024 basketball season and where he sees himself going in the future.
Q: How do you feel about yourself playing this season?
I am confident. I put in a lot of work this summer. There is a lot of stuff you don’t see on the court. I’m not really the type that goes to different camps, but coach Lauer puts us through workouts where puts you in the game situations, so it’s going to show on the court. I have a lot of confidence for this season, for me, and my teammates.
Q: What is your relationship like with your teammates?
We have a good bond, coach Lauer does a great job at getting us all together, putting us in situations where we have to use teamwork to bring us on and off the court, so I really like my teammates. This year has a good group of guys.
Q: Last season, you guys placed in the state’s Final Four among other junior leagues. What are your expectations for this year?
To take out last year and do better. I mean, last year was a good year to take notes from the new guys but for me it’s especially being here…I feel like there is a lot I can take from that year and implement and this year and just take off and thrive and lead these guys better season than last year.
Q: Do you want to continue playing basketball as you transfer into a 4-year university?
Of course, I would say my end goal right now for basketball is just to make sure my school is paid for so my parents won’t be stressed where I will be, where I’m living, just having the outlet basketball has done a lot for me and my friends, so I feel like basketball is a big outlet to getting us to better places so I mean, yes, basketball is in the picture after college but right now it’s just strictly getting this season done. Academically, get straight with that take it from there.
Q: If you are looking academically and you had to choose when getting into a four year university and you had to choose, would you let go of basketball or play on the side just play for fun?
I feel like, with me, I’ve been doing this for so long, I would have to see it out like, there is no way I can just stop playing basketball. I wouldn’t feel right. I want to get the four years done and say I’ve played basketball for all four year of college, but I definitely have a lot of goals to achieve outside of basketball, but I don’t feel like basketball is my only outlet. I really feel like there’s a life outside of basketball for me and I’m really excited.
Q: What schools are you trying to get noticed by?
I would say a lot of SoCal schools like Cal State Fullerton, or San Diego State would be nice even though. It’s not SoCal, but it would be nice to go to San Diego State. Honestly, any school in SoCal would be nice but I really do want to go Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HPCU). My sister went to one so, I mean, any HPCU would be pretty nice to go to.
Q: Do you feel like you will still have a friendship and professional connection with these coaches in the long run after you transfer ?
100% ’cause I feel like the thing with the three coaches I have now, no matter what, even with my teammates when they transfer no matter what, they continue to shape you as far as you go and need advice they are always open to talk.
Q: How do you see yourself from changing this season and last season on and off ?
I would say my best thing I would change is my confidence. I feel like it goes both ways. I mean my confidence was good but school-wise, I wasn’t a great student. It was definitely a change balance school, college work, and basketball but I think I got a great rhythm down. Coaches helped me out. On the court, I hadn’t played basketball since Covid and it was kinda my first game. I was kinda jittery like I had to get past that but once you get to the middle of the season it’s just kinda second nature. Now that I have that season in my back pocket and I have film to watch, I feel like my confidence and my understanding of the pace on how fast things go on the court. Now I feel like I can do better in situations I didn’t do well last semester or last season so I feel like this season will be a lot different and I still have the same coaches. They have nothing but supported me it makes me a lot more comfortable on the court and it brings a different type of confidence so that’s my biggest thing…bring more confidence on the court.
Q: What school are you excited to play against?
There are 2 schools one is a team where I’m from. It’s going to be fun. We played last, we won, but it was good to get back so we are playing in their gym. It’s going be fun and the other team is West LA. Always have been a big team, they always pick up big guys so I’m excited for that. We beat them twice last year so I know they’re coming with a big target on our backs, but that’s the part of basketball. It’s competition that’s going to be the fun part about it. West LA knows it we are coming for them.
