Following the annual Meet The Tigers, we had a chance to catch up with Head Post-Graduate Basketball/Basketball Program Director Lee Martin as he heads into his third year at the helm. Martin, who is entering his seventh season overall at Hargrave, offers his insight on a wide variety of topics from this current team, previous players, an NBA signing, and his own growth as a head coach.
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Coach, you’ve really seen it all during your time at Hargrave first as a member of the Post-Graduate Basketball team (2008-2009; National Runner Up) to then spending four years as an Assistant Coach under A.W. Hamilton, being elevated to Associate Head Coach after your second year to now as the Head Coach and Basketball Program Director. How has it been being associated with Hargrave and the Post-Graduate Basketball program for over a decade now?
Martin: “Hargrave has become a second home to me. I am very thankful for the opportunities that I had as a Cadet and a member of the Post-Graduate Basketball team. This environment truly helped me mature as a young man which in turn led me directly into a successful playing career (Catawba College, 2009-2013). In the spring of 2013, I was sitting in my dorm room and I’ll never forget when Coach Hamilton asked if I would be interested in coming back and working for him. I graduated from Catawba on a Saturday, moved back to Chatham that following Monday and I’ve been back ever since!”
You’re entering your third year at the helm of the Hargrave Post-Graduate Basketball program. As you reflect on the past two years, what have you learned about yourself as a coach that will help this year’s team?
Martin: “I have learned more in the past two years about myself as a coach than words can describe. I’m constantly growing and evolving daily as I really hone in on my coaching philosophy. I’ve had great mentors through my time at Hargrave between playing for Coach (Kevin) Keatts (Head Coach, NC State University) and playing for/working with Coach (A.W.) Hamilton (Head Coach, Eastern Kentucky University). Both of those guys know the game so well and I was able to soak up everything they taught me over the years. One area that I’ve really grown in over the past two years is being able to develop a system and expectations that are clear and easily following by my players and staff.”
You’ve now transitioned into official practice following the NCAA live period in September. How much has your team grown over the first couple weeks of practice?
Martin: “As a team, we’ve had a tremendous start to our year. Our group has worked very hard on their conditioning, strength training, and skill development. Over the month of September and now into October, we’ve had numerous college coaches, from all levels, visit campus and our guys are hearing great things. I know we will continue to get better as we prepare for this upcoming season.”
Speaking of your upcoming season, what’s your outlook for this year? Being a perennially ranked prep basketball program, it must feel like a target is constantly on your back.
Martin: “Because of the long tradition of excellence surrounding Hargrave Basketball, there is always a target on our back. Our players and coaches understand that and realize we must make the most of our opportunities daily to reach our goals. Our guys have been working hard throughout the preseason and they’ve transitioned well into official practice. We building day by day which is extremely important; when you play an elite schedule like ours, there are no days off.”
In reviewing your schedule, it looks like you play some traditional basketball powerhouses and you have the opportunity to compete in a variety of high level events. How will this schedule prepare your team for a run into March?
Martin: “We’re really excited about our schedule this year. First off, having a pair of exhibition games against Oak Hill Academy and Huntington Prep always brings out our best as a team because those are the kind of games our guys sign up for when they attend Hargrave. In addition to those exhibitions, our schedule is filled with matchups against other top-tier prep schools and both nationally and regionally recognized events. Our guys have an outstanding opportunity to compete in the Caribbean Tip-Off Classic in late October where we will get the chance to play three games against great competition in the Bahamas. This is a first for our program and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re also set to play in the National Prep Showcase (New Haven, CT), the Legacy Nissan Classic (London, KY) and the Hoophall Showcase (Springfield, MA) in addition to hosting our own Hargrave Military Circuit (February 1st and 2nd, 2020). Playing in these high level events against elite competition will prepare us for the home stretch of the season.”
Coach, it looks like you’ve got another full roster this season. How have you enjoyed getting to coach these guys so far?
Martin: “It’s been awesome. Like I’ve always said, ‘iron sharpens iron’, and with that philosophy in mind, our staff wants to build the roster that way. Our staff did an incredible job of putting our roster together this summer. We’re really balanced in terms of size, speed, and skill. One of the best challenges we have on a yearly basis is getting our group to come together as a team and I know that’s something we’ll continue to do throughout the season.”
Since the program’s inception, Hargrave has been synonymous with young man that go on to compete at the next level as college basketball players. How many players do you currently have playing in college that you’ve coached over your time here as a head coach as well as an assistant coach?
Martin: “Being at Hargrave for seven years now, I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with guys that have gone on to the college level. Our program floods all levels (NCAA D1, NCAA D2, NCAA D3, NAIA, NJCAA) of college basketball on an annual basis. Currently, I have 60 former players in the college ranks. It’s an even split between my time as a head coach and my time as an assistant coach with 30 apiece. I was also blessed to have the opportunity to coach a pair of guys as an assistant that are currently on NBA rosters.”
There was a big buzz around the program last week when word broke that Hargrave added another alumnus to an NBA roster. You had the opportunity to coach Jon Davis. Did you know when he was in Walter Davis Gymnasium that he had pro potential?
Martin: “Let me start off by saying that Jon is an incredible young man and his work ethic is second to none. When he was at Hargrave, he showed glimpses of NBA level ability. Jon went on to have a great career at UNC-Charlotte and now he’s got his shot as a professional. We are super excited to call him a member of the Hargrave Family!”
Last question, Coach. Of the guys currently playing in college, do you see any future NBA players on the horizon for the Tigers?
Martin: “I believe so. We have multiple guys that have been highlighted in college basketball over the past season and this current offseason that have been on NBA radars. Two that fans should really keep their eyes on this year are Naji Marshall ’17 (Xavier University) and Trey McGowens ’18 (University of Pittsburgh) as they are both primed for breakout seasons in the Big East and ACC respectively.”
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The Tigers start their 2019-2020 campaign with a scrimmage against Dohn Prep. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 15th from Walter Davis Gymnasium.
