What Kansas Jayhawks basketball fans can expect from new point guard Remy Martin
Even now, Remy Martin says this all feels somewhat surreal.
Following four seasons at Arizona State, the point guard used his COVID super-senior year to chase a national championship with KU.
It’s not a move he regrets.
“Being here, to me, it’s the best program ever,” Martin said during Tuesday’s KU men’s basketball team media day at Allen Fieldhouse. “And being a part of something bigger than myself — the culture, the wins, coach (Bill) Self being who he is, and their players that are here — it’s something I always wanted to be a part of.”
He’s had to dive in quickly. Martin arrived on campus in August, trying to catch up to not only KU’s system but also to the expectations surrounding the program.
And so far? He says he’s learned most that his teammates “care a lot” and also “carry a lot on their shoulders” when it comes to representing KU.
“They want to make this state proud, and want to succeed and win,” Martin said. “And when you’re a part of something that bigger than you, you want to buy in and you want to make everybody else proud as well.
“These guys have been amazing. I’m honored to actually be here.”
A lot expected
Martin’s arrival comes with a fascinating subplot for KU basketball — mostly because a situation like his has never arisen in Self’s previous 19 seasons.
The point guard is expected to be the man. He was voted by Big 12 coaches as the conference’s preseason player of the year, fresh off averaging 19.1 points in each of his last two seasons with Arizona State.
That lofty projection, though, is for a first-year transfer who is not only unfamiliar with Self’s plays, but also the way the Jayhawks operate.
“He’s just trying to figure out how he can help us. And it’s certainly different for him playing a different way than what he’s used to,” Self said. “But he’s done well, and he is a good player. And I just hope that he’s able to play to what people think about him, because if he does that, we will be a pretty dangerous team.”
Start here: Self says Martin won’t likely average 20 points per game. KU has a loaded roster around him, which means his optimal role — in Self’s eyes — will be using his skills to get others open looks.
That transition hasn’t come as naturally as one might think. Self has spoken early about it being difficult for some of KU’s transfer players to unlearn what they were taught at their previous schools. In other words, with the older guys, Self has worked to break old habits before trying to form new ones.
Martin is part of that group. An example: He says the biggest adjustment he’s faced at KU is the tendency to always want to circle back to the basketball on offense.
At Arizona State, that was the plan. Martin was the team’s focal point, so ball-hovering was encouraged with the hopes that he could generate scoring on a squad that needed it.
That’s not the way Self’s offense runs. His strategy centers on proper spacing, meaning that Martin’s old tendencies could throw off his new team’s plays if he’s not vigilant.
‘His own mind’
Self says he’s just starting to get a feel for Martin’s style — trying to figure out the proper balance between reining him in and letting him go.
“He’s going to be a guy that our fans can thoroughly enjoy watching play, because he may do something different — including hitting the coach in the head with a pass — that people may just want to come see,” Self said with a smile. “Because he is fast and he is explosive and he’s got his own mind. And sometimes he sees things that I don’t, and sometimes that’s good and sometimes maybe it’s not so good.”
One aspect of Martin’s game Self has never had to question is his competitiveness.
Before recruiting Martin over the summer, Self said he watched film from the Arizona State-KU games from Martin’s freshman and sophomore seasons.
In the first contest, Martin was one of the game’s best players from the start in the Sun Devils’ upset victory at Allen Fieldhouse.
The second outing was different; Martin labored for most of it, before hitting the game’s biggest shot late to help Arizona State to a home win.
“I saw him when he was really terrific, and he beat us. And I saw him when he wasn’t, and he still found a way to beat us,” Self said. “And that’s a sign of a good player.”
A greater purpose
One of Martin’s great aspirations with basketball is to inspire Filipinos.
Martin’s mother, Mary Ann Macaspac, was born in the Philippines. He gets his name from his maternal grandfather and, at times, has worn the Flag of the Philippines on his basketball gear.
“I just want to show people that the Filipino heritage is here — that they can play at the highest level,” Martin said. “I’m not the tallest guy. I’m not the most athletic guy, but I love the game, and I’m here now.
“In some people’s minds, I made it. In the Filipinos’ minds, because there’s not too many people that can play at this level that are Filipino. So I just give them hope.”
One of his biggest role models also is Filipino boxer Manny Pacquaio. Martin says he’s always admired Pacquaio’s selflessness, saying “everything that he’s done has always been with humility and respect, and that’s something I always wanted to look up to.”
Martin has gotten a start on showing his own form of generosity.
In the past, he’s boxed up extra gear and sent it to the Philippines to be donated to the less fortunate.
“Just anything that I get that I don’t wear that is brand new — because I don’t need much; I just need a pair of shoes — those people need it way more than me,” Martin said. “Whenever I get the chance, I send it.”
A new start
So what will KU fans quickly learn about their new star point guard?
Self and Martin agree on this one: He’s likely to be full of personality.
“I think just my energy on the court speaks for itself,” Martin said. “My genuine love for the game just kind of takes over my body, and I just wanna win.”
Self said last week that he hoped Martin could have an Energizer Bunny-type impact for this year’s KU team.
He reiterated those words Tuesday.
“He has an infectious way about him,” Self said, “that we need.”
It’s too soon to know just how quickly Martin will take to his new role at KU, but this much is certain: He’s grateful for the opportunity.
And yes ... even a little awed still that he’s actually here.
“The people here have been treating me so well, and I just want to make people proud,” Martin said. “I want to be proud wearing this jersey. I want to make history.
“I want to continue the legacy that the people before me have done.”
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 9:38 AM.
