Nevada throughout the past 15 years has definitely had it’s ups and downs and by no stretch of the mind would be considered a Mid-Major powerhouse. But Nevada is ranked #5 (the highest in school history) and give a lot of that to Eric Musselman who has led the Wolf pack to three straight winning seasons and back to back NCAA tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen last year. But two players that have gained Nevada the hype is Cody and Caleb Martin, the Martin twins. And how they took an alternative path rather than going the way most highly rated athletes would.
The Martin twins were born and grew up in Mocksville, NC and attended Davie County in North Carolina. For 3 years, the Marin brothers were able to find success with a Sectional title as juniors. Cody and Caleb made a big move by moving to Mount of Wilson, Virginia to attend High School Powerhouse Oak Hill Academy for their senior year. They led Oak Hill to a 41-4 record and a runner-up finish in the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament. Both were 4 stars out of high school according to 247, and The irony of them being twins is how similar these 2 really are. For one, they both are currently 6’7 and near 200 pounds. Both ended up getting the same offers out of high school (NC State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest) and both would end up committing to North Carolina State on the same day.
Both players would start out being rotation players and both would eclipse the double digit mark just once in their Freshman year and would combine to make just 4 starts in 36 games. As Sophomore’s, Cody would slightly improve with a 2.6 PPG increase and shot 46.7% from the field. Caleb would take the next step in his game and become a near full time starter. Caleb averaged 11.5 points and scored in double figures on 20 different occasions with putting up 21 points twice. NC State would end up with a losing season that year and back to back seasons for the Wolfpack with no postseason appearance. Cody and Caleb had a decision to make. For one, if they were satisfied with where they were at and for two, if not where would they go next? The Martin twins would decide to make the move and transfer out of NC State to another school with Wolf pack, halfway across the country.
Nevada had just come from a Mountain West Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Adding the Martin twins took them to a different level as well as the brothers themselves stepped up their game. Nevada would start out 11-2 with a 6 point OT loss to Texas Tech (who would end up having their best season since Tubby Smith was there) and #20 TCU (also their best season in over a decade). Nevada would trip up here and there, but would end the regular season with an impressive 26-6 Record and a 14-4 record in conference. Caleb Martin had an amazing Junior year averaging 18.9 PPG which was 3rd in the conference, as well as 20.2 PPG during conference play. Cody was no slouch either has he averaged 14 PPG and 2nd on the team in rebounds. Nevada would get upset in the 2nd round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament against San Diego State, but was looking to make some damage in the middle of March. Caleb would turn into a man possessed in the NCAA with back to back double doubles against Fresno State and Texas as Nevada would upset both and make it to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in School History and a chance to make some more history. In the Texas game, Caleb was 3-3 from 3 point range during OT and came back from down 22 and that would elevate them to the win over the Longhorns. Nevada had a matchup with another Cinderella in Loyola-Chicago. The Martin brothers were fantastic all night long combining for 37 points on 14-30 shooting and 11 rebounds. With 6 seconds to go, Loyola Guard Marques Towns made a 3 pointer to put Loyola up 4. But running right back down the other end was Caleb Martin draining a 3 of his own to cut the lead to 1. But with not enough fouls left to put Loyola on the line, they would run the clock out and a heartbreaking loss for the Wolfpack.
The Martin Bros. had a decision and most people would declare for the NBA, especially considering Caleb was a lock first round pick and Cody was hovering around late first-early second range. Both instead decided to stay for their senior year in hope of the best season in school History. Unfortunately, Jordan Caroline did decide to go pro after averaging nearly 17 last year. This season, Nevada is up to the number 5th ranking in the nation with a quality win over BYU as well as getting some revenge against the team that knocked them out of the NCAA Tournament, Loyola Chicago. But the Wolf Pack have a couple of games to watch out for. Their next game on the road against USC and a Neutral Site game against Arizona State. Nevada might be the next Gonzaga or they might fade away by the end of the year. But the impact that the Martin brothers have had on the program as well as the loyalty to stay for their senior year shows they won’t be forgotten by Nevada fans anytime soon.
Image Credit: https://www.midmajormadness.com/2018/5/30/17412088/caleb-and-cody-martin-withdraw-from-the-nba-draft-return-for-senior-seasons-mountain-west
