Ex-tiger Martin ‘putting on’ for Memphis with Heat
LAS VEGAS — Jeremiah Martin believed there was a good chance he would be selected by a specific team during the NBA Draft.
But his faith never wavered when the call didn't come. He's been doubted too many times before to crack.
“I wasn’t tripping," Martin said. "It happens all the time. Good players always go undrafted."
He was an unheralded prospect at Mitchell High School and a little-used reserve guard under Josh Pastner at Memphis before evolving into one of the American Athletic Conference's top scorers the past two seasons.
He was snubbed for the conference's player of the year honor and never got to display his prolific scoring ability on the NCAA Tournament stage.
So for Martin, there was no sulking when his name did not appear on the TV screen during the draft.
"And I mean 10 minutes maybe after the draft, my agent called me up and said a couple teams hit me up," Martin said.
One of them was the Miami Heat, and Martin agreed to a contract with the franchise. He saw something in the Heat he likes.
"The development part, they’ve got it," Martin said. "Just the Heat culture. I’m a tough, hard-nosed player and I can play in this system.”
What Jeremiah Martin is working on
So how do the Heat want Martin to develop?
“Just me learning how — even though I’m a point guard — learning to play without the ball," Martin said.
Martin posted a 27.2% usage rate over his final two college seasons, meaning that when Martin was in the game, more than a fourth of the team's plays ended with a shot, free-throw attempt or turnover by him.
"I played with the ball in my hands a lot in college," Martin said.
If that usage rate translated to the NBA, Martin's company would be balldominant guards such as Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Trae Young and Dwyane Wade, who posted usage rates between 27 and 28 percent in the 201819 season.
So as the Heat beat China 103-62 on Friday on the first day of the Las Vegas summer league, Martin played 22 minutes and spent much of that time on the wing.
He finished with 12 points and three assists.
Through Miami's 4-0 start in the California and Las Vegas summer leagues, Martin was averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 20 minutes per game.
"I’m playing with some great players and it’s just been great," Martin said. "It’s been a good journey so far, good competition. Just trying to get better each day, each game get more confidence and just get used to being out there.”
Jeremiah Martin's contract
Martin reportedly signed and exhibit 10 contract with Miami. Exhibit 10 contracts can be turned in to twoway contracts. They also increase the financial incentive for players to stay with a team's G-league affiliate if they do not make the NBA roster.
Miami's roster remains unsettled as the team maneuvers to get below the luxury tax line while maintaining the league maximum of 15 players.
The odds of an undrafted rookie making an opening day roster are slim.
But as Martin works to find a professional home, he said he is "putting on" for his home city.
“They know I’m representing Memphis and I love them back home," he said.
After all, it's the city where he proved that he can shine even when the spotlight skips him like it did once again on draft night.
"It’s every kid’s dream," Martin said, "to hear their name called, no matter what number in the draft.
"But it’s just more work for me to put in.”
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.