Justin Martin transferring from XU
Shannon Russell, April 11, 2014
Justin Martin will use his final season of eligibility in a basketball program other than Xavier's.
The university announced Friday that Martin, a redshirt junior, will transfer. He'll be allowed to contact other schools after completing coursework to finish his undergraduate degree.
Martin promptly took to Twitter after the news was made official. Wrote Martin: "I have decided to use my 5th year at another school. I sincerely thank Xavier and the xavier fans/community for the support and opportunity!
"(It) has been an experience of a lifetime to even play division 1 basketball. I will always be a musketeer and will always love Xavier!!"
He did not disclose the reasons for the transfer but alluded to the process in a post 17 minutes later. Wrote Martin: "(Just) want people to know before rumors are started that this was all my decision with the help of prayer. (Don't) believe what u hear!"
The loss of Martin, coupled with Semaj Christon's departure for professional prospects, means Xavier will enter the 2014-15 season without its top two scorers. Martin and Christon combined for an average 28.7 of the team's 71.8 points in a 21-13 campaign.
Martin was an x-factor in the Musketeers' success. When he clicked, the team thrived. He contributed 16 of his 18 double-figure scoring games last season from Dec. 31 onward and set personal highs in scoring (22 points versus DePaul, Feb. 19) and rebounding (16 boards versus Creighton, March 1).
Conversely, the team seemed to struggle when he wasn't at his best. Martin was held to just eight points in the team's NCAA tournament loss to NC State and went 0-for-6 from 3-point range in 38 minutes.
Once Martin gets his academic house in order and finds a new destination, he will be immediately eligible per the NCAA's transfer rule for graduate students.
It's the latest chapter in a busy offseason for the Musketeers, headlined lately by Cal's interest in coach Chris Mack. XU announced in March that freshman Kamall Richards would transfer. Christon decided to leave the programsoon after.
The team had a maximum 13 scholarship players, counting the incoming recruiting class, before Martin's announcement.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/xaviersp...u/7610643/