By: Nick Marcinko -- September 29, 2024 Aiming to improve defensively in 2024/25, Florida basketball added FAU’s Alijah Martin through the transfer portal, a 6’2, 210-pound guard who excels defensively with his athleticism and perimeter defense, which has been put on display throughout Florida’s preseason practices. Martin had a successful four-year career at FAU with two trips to the NCAA Tournament including a final-four run in 2022/23, which made it hard to leave the school that took a chance on him out of high school. Alijah Martin details transfer to UF, what he brings to the Gators | GatorCountry.com
I am cautiously optimistic on Martin. I don't like having a 2 guard that isn't a lights out 3 pt shooter, but I do see some of the intangibles he brings. I am also a believer in team defense. I feel you need the whole team involved in order to play good defense, unless you want to have Martin just deny their best shooter the ball, then forget everything I just said. lol
What? Cautiously optimistic? The dude is a straight baller. The best shooting guards in history were not lights out three point shooters. They are scorers who also play great defense. It doesn’t matter if the points come from 2s or 3s. Jordan Kobe Wade
IDK, maybe it's just Kugel that was disappointing at the 2 and I would prefer to have an assassin like Craig Brown or Lee Humphrey. I did say optimistic, so give me a little break there.
Last year was Martin's worst season shooting the ball. He was a 38+% career shooter prior to last season. Provided he can get comfortable in this offense, I have no reason to believe he won't be a very good shooter.
