Terry is all gold, says legendary Eagle TJ

MARTIN IS SIGNED AFTER A TIP-OFF FROM STAR GUARD

NEWCASTLE Eagles have made their second big signing of the summer – and he comes recommended by no lesser an authority than club legend TJ Walker.

The Eagles have clinched the signature of 6ft 7in powerhouse forward Terry Martin, a newcomer to the BBL.

Martin hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and comes with a ringing endorsement from Eagles’ favourite Walker, with backroom staff followed up on his suggestion.

He said: “I am really excited to have an opportunity to play for the Newcastle Eagles this season.

“I have heard nothing but great things from one of the former Eagles, TJ Walker.

“He kept reminding me about the championship mindset the club has, the great coaching staff and the loyal fans.

“I cannot wait to add my athleticism and energy to this year’s team.

“To all the fans please come out and support us. This is sure to be an exciting season.”

His full title is Terry Demetrius Martin Jr and he comes with an intriguing basketball background.

He spent six years in NCAA Division One basketball, starting out at Texas Tech University before moving on to Louisiana State and then four years at Wofford before graduating in 2011.

Martin is described as a bundle of energy who plays with intensity and passion and never stops working.

His attitude and athleticism means he is versatile enough to play either forward position – a force in the paint who can rebound and score down low.

He also has a mid-range game and can also knock down perimeter jumpers, even from three-point territory.

Since graduating he has played pro basketball in the US, Japan, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina’s TNA League where he was voted Finals MVP, Player of the Year, Forward of the Year and Import Player of the Year in 2016.

Head coach Fab Flournoy, who has seen Scott Martin and Rahmon Fletcher leave the club this summer, was delighted by this new addition.

Flournoy said: “Terry is a guy looking to make his way in Europe, having played a number of successful years in South America.

“He is a powerful athletic forward with good range and we are expecting him to hit the ground running here.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle Eagles managing-director Paul Blake has paid tribute to departing star Rahmon Fletcher.

Fletcher, who has been the BBL’s most valuable player for two seasons in a row and a tremendous on-court leader for the Eagles, has signed for top Slovakian side KB Kosice, who finished top of the regular season standings before going out in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

He joins Scott Martin in leaving Tyneside for European competition, but Blake remained philosophical in his assessment of the situation. He said: “Fletch, like Scott, was a tremendous servant for us while he was here and undoubtedly one of the best players we have had and one of the best the BBL has seen.

“We were hoping to bring him back but sadly it was not to be.

“However, he goes with our blessing and thanks for the excellent job he did here in Newcastle and we wish him well in the future and hope to see him back in Newcastle at some stage.”

With arguably their top two players from the last few seasons gone it means a huge re-building process for the Eagles for the coming season – a fact Blake acknowledges but is also optimistic about.

He added: “In basketball, you have to accept these things and I know Fab and his coaching staff were planning for all eventualities and whatever circumstances occurred.

“We have been very busy working in the background and we hope to have more exciting news for our fans very soon.”