The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW a passion for State. That is the best feeling in the world. "I just want to add the nature of being a winner. All I want to do is win. It's not about the individual but the whole team." The goal this season is simple. "National champions," Abu said. "What- ever it takes. I think we have the talent to do it this year, and a lot of people don't realize that, but we are one of the deepest teams in college basketball this year." Cody Martin has been impressed with the improvement of the various players, and he is also dreaming big. "The returning guys have some experi- ence under their belt and chemistry," Cody Martin said. "My brother and I and Ma- lik, plus [Alabama transfer redshirt junior shooting guard] Trevor [Lacey], will try to add to that chemistry. Hopefully, we can get as far as we can and that is a national championship." The trio has also livened up practice a bit thanks to their above-the-rim theatrics. Abu and the Martin twins are pretty ac- complished in-game dunkers. If other players aren't paying attention, it won't end well at the rim. "I would win the dunk contest, easily," Abu said. "[West Virginia transfer] Terry Henderson can do some things I can't do, but I can beat the twins. I played Terry in dunk HORSE, and I won." Cody Martin thinks Abu is the best dunker when it comes to smashing one on a player. "Kyle [Washington] has gotten me be- fore [on dunk attempts], but he also knows I'll dunk on him back, so it's all right," Cody Martin said. All three freshmen lived away from home their senior years of high school. The Martin twins grew up in Mocksville, N.C., and attended Davie County High for three years, but departed to Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy for their senior year. The Martin twins helped the Warriors finish 41-4 overall and No. 4 in the USA Today national rankings. Caleb Martin averaged a team-high 14.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, with 95 assists, 76 steals and 30 blocks in 44 games. He shot 45.1 percent from the field, 36.4 percent on three-pointers (99 of 273) and 68.3 percent at the free throw line. Cody Martin averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest for Oak Hill. He shot 51.8 percent from the field, while making 31.9 percent of his three-pointers and 65.3 percent at the free throw line. He also added 41 blocks and 87 steals. Abu attended Marblehead (Mass.) High and then reclassified his sophomore year at Kimball Union in Meriden, N.H., meaning he lived on his own for three years. Abu averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 re- bounds per game his senior year, and led Kimball Union to a 21-7 mark. Abu knows that he is starting over at NC State, but plans to work hard to help the Wolfpack in whatever way is needed. "On the high school level, I was an ath- lete, a freak athlete and just played hard," Abu said. "Here, it takes a lot of skill, posi- tioning and takes a lot of strength. "You can also never stop working on playing hard at all times. That is what I'm known for, having a high motor." It is safe to say Abu arrived with a col- lege-ready body, plus he had an extra year of basketball, which is similar to what NC State sophomore post player Kyle Washington experienced in high school. Abu knows the next step is become more skilled, since the ACC is filled with strong and athletic big men. "I want more of a consistent outside jump shot," Abu said. "In high school, I did score a lot off the mid-range, but I am trying more to make it a consistent shot." Preseason workouts and practices have given Abu a good idea of what he can do on the court. Abu and sophomores Wash- ington, Lennard Freeman and BeeJay Anya will battle it out for the two post positions. Washington started 25 games and Freeman 11 last year. "Metal sharpens metal, so if I can hang with these guys, I can play with anybody," Abu said. The Martin twins not surprisingly share many of the same traits on the basketball court. They possess great length, timing, quick hands and basketball IQ, which could add up to being gifted defensive players. Caleb has more of a scorer's mentality, and Cody isn't afraid to mix it up inside and on the boards, and will drive hard to the rim. Caleb looks for the three-point shot more than Cody. The Martin twins' versatility will allow them to fill various roles this season. "I think I can bring a lot of rebounding and stuff that they didn't have last year, in that we can be wings that go and get the ball a lot more," Cody Martin said. "My brother and I can help with that. I can get to the rack pretty well. "I've been working on my dribbling and my shot, making the transition from high school to college." Caleb Martin had to miss a chunk of the summer after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot June 28. The nag- ging injury dates back to his junior year at Davie County High. Caleb Martin knew after participating in the Josh Level Classic May 2 at Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley that his foot still had issues, and elected to have a screw inserted. He doesn't think he's 100 percent back, but is close. "The trainers have done a great job of getting me back healthy, and it is up to me to stay healthy," Caleb Martin said. "For the most part, I'm back and playing." The Martin twins have also reshaped their bodies since arriving at NC State. The checked in at 192 pounds prior to the start of their senior years at Oak Hill Academy, but lost weight during the long 45-game season. Caleb Martin said he arrived at NCSU at 182 pounds last July, but he is now in the 200- to 205-pound range. Cody also said he's about 202 pounds. Caleb Martin joked that the long walks to classes have also proven to be good for his conditioning. "We've been doing workouts and timed stuff, and some [NBA Draft] combine drills," Caleb Martin said. "We've done a lot of lift- ing and conditioning every other day. I think we are in for a good season." ■ Abu was the highest-ranked player in the Wolfpack's 2014 recruiting class, checking in at No. 45 in the nation, according to Rivals.com. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN