The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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■ basketBALL recruiting NC State's Class Of 2014 Is Set To Sign With The Wolfpack By Jacey Zembal aleb and Cody Martin verbally committed to NC State on Oct. 10, 2012, and are excited to finally sign their National Letters of Intent during the early signing period Nov. 13-20. The Martin twins were joined in the class of 2014 by Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy senior power forward AbdulMalik Abu, who verbally committed to the Wolfpack Sept. 7 after a whirlwind recruitment. The trio was ranked No. 14 nationally by ESPN.com as of mid-October. The 6-8, 233-pound Abu checks in at No. 50 nationally according to Rivals.com. Caleb Martin ranks No. 59 and Cody Martin is No. 106, but both 6-6 wings could easily move up with strong senior seasons at Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy. "I'm ready to sign the paper. I can't wait to be on campus and get the workouts started, and get the season going," Cody Martin said. Caleb Martin is glad he'll officially know where he is going after signing day. "When you sign, everything is done and your name is on that paper," Caleb Martin said. "I think it will be cool." The three Wolfpack commits played against each other on various teams at the NBPA Camp June 13‑15 at the University of Virginia. Their paths hadn't crossed before the camp, but Abu left a lasting impression on Caleb and Cody. "He is a strong player and a solid player," Cody Martin said. "He definitely has a crazy vertical. He is a big, strong kid and plays well, too. He's aggressive. I like the way he plays." Caleb Martin also remembers Abu from the NBPA Camp. The Wolfpack had offered him in late April and were just getting ready to ramp up the recruiting intensity during the July evaluation period. "That was the only place that we got to watch him and see him in person," Caleb Martin said. "I like the way he plays. He'll be really effective for us in the paint and the high post. He's a real good pickup and made the right choice." The trio will be under one roof at the Spalding Hoop Hall Classic in Springfield, Mass., Jan. 18-20, 2014. Abu and Kimball Union Academy play Gill (Mass.) Northfield Mount Hermon School at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 19, and the Martin twins and Oak Hill Academy face Chicago Whitney Young at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 20. The latter game might end up being nationally televised on ESPNU. C Twins Cody (left) and Caleb Martin have transferred from Davie County High in Mocksville, N.C., to powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., for their senior seasons. Rivals.com ranks Caleb No. 59 in the senior class and Cody No. 106. photo by jacey zembal Abu and the Martin twins are all going to high school away from their hometowns. Abu is from Boston, but is entering his third year at Kimball Union Academy, while the Martin twins are from Mocksville, N.C. The twins miss their family and friends, but workouts have been intense this fall. Getting a chance to practice against other quality players and learning time management are the calling cards of the Oak Hill Academy experience. "It teaches you that you can't be late to anything or you are definitely in trouble," Cody Martin said. "You have to spend your time wisely and be independent." Caleb Martin called the workouts insane this fall. "It has been a good experience with competition day in, day out against good people," Caleb Martin said. "It's really intense, and I like it up there. We are in the weight room a lot more." The Martin twins were able to officially visit NC State Oct. 18-20, which coincided with Primetime With The Pack Oct. 18 at PNC Arena. The Martin twins attended the 2012 edition of Primetime With The Pack, and attended some home games at PNC Arena. It's a different squad this season with five of the top six scorers moving on. "[Sophomore point guard] Tyler Lewis had a great game," Cody Martin said. "It was fun to see them compete against each other and go hard. Everybody just had fun at the same time." The Martin twins both weigh 192 pounds, with Caleb gaining about nine pounds over the last six months, while Cody has lost about six. Caleb was forced to miss some of the July evaluation period due to an injured foot, which also caused him to sit out part of his sophomore season at Davie County High. Caleb was able to return for workouts in September, but has since sprained the same foot after a pair of scrimmages. He isn't sure when he'll return but hopes to be back by Nov. 1, when Oak Hill plays at WinstonSalem (N.C.) Quality Education Academy. The game will be the first of five contests played in the state of North Carolina, including two in Raleigh. "I think it's going to packed, hectic and loud," Cody Martin said about playing in his home state this season. "We'll be in our backyard." Caleb Martin Is Ready To Be Healthy Watching NC State practice and scrimmage during his official visit has Caleb Martin fired up about his future. He just needs to get his foot completely healthy. Martin enjoyed his official visit to NC State Oct. 18-20, and even learned a few 118 ■ the wolfpacker 118-121.BKB Recruiting.indd 118 10/22/13 3:01 PM