JMart Goes Pro

[pimpinthebox]

I'm totally serious. Here's proof...

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24960186/smu-forward-justin-martin-foregos-rest-of-senior-season-turns-pro

[drudy23]

Normally this means there's a team that wants him and decides to go there...I have a feeling that didn't happen.

Guess what...I can say the same thing..."I'M GOING PRO" - doesn't really mean much if the teams disagree.

[nuts4xu]

I am turning pro in basketball today too! Woo Hoo! Anyone want to be my agent? I need a tryout somewhere STAT!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Maybe he is that NCAA commercial and is turning pro in something other than sports....huh??? Amirite????

[chico]

Are you guys sure you want to give up your college eligibility that easily?

[D-West & PO-Z]

The original article I read last week in the Dallas paper when it announced he wasnt coming back said it was because he was going to pursue a pro career.

In all seriousness I dont think he will have much trouble "going pro". He isnt going to the NBA but he could play overseas in a number of places. You wouldnt believe some of the people I know of who played professionally overseas. Like really low level (DII/DIII) college players.

[SemajParlor]

Not sure why this is so crazy. He has a degree from Xavier, and it's not like he went to SMU to pursue a career in his graduate studies. More or less he went to SMU to have fun and compete on what he thought would be a higher level than Xavier this year. Things didn't work out for him there, so he left to play in Europe. Really not that much different from if he had just gone to Europe last year...

[LadyMuskie]

I think it's crazy because it's Justin Martin. You know. That Justin Martin. It would have been like me saying I was going to play professional volleyball because I played in rec leagues in college. Just because you play a sport doesn't mean you can play it professionally.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think it's crazy because it's Justin Martin. You know. That Justin Martin. It would have been like me saying I was going to play professional volleyball because I played in rec leagues in college. Just because you play a sport doesn't mean you can play it professionally.

No completely wrong.

He will get paid somewhere to play basketball. I'm not sure what is so confusing.

[Always Learning]

Boo Hoo .... Justin's gonna play pro basketball ... gonna make lotsa money (tax free) boo hoo .. ain't fair!
What is it with you people who just have to take cheap shots at Justin?
He is a Xavier graduate, played basketball and started. Never embarrassed the University or its program in any way.
Oh, he didn't live up to your expectations? Boo Hoo

[GoMuskies]

It's really up to him whether he gets paid or not. I've read plenty of horror stories about how tough life can be in Europe and other places around the world for American college basketball players looking to pay for play. He'll have an opportunity to make money, but it will not be easy. If he's not physically or mentally tough enough, this could be over for him very quickly.

[LadyMuskie]

No completely wrong.

He will get paid somewhere to play basketball. I'm not sure what is so confusing.

I should have qualified my statement. I sincerely doubt Justin Martin will play for the NBA.

Edit: But, you know, the more I think about it, the more I think it's possible he plays for pay nowhere unless he pulls it together. He was never the world's hardest worker. Now he's leaving another school, and this time mid-season. I don't know. Just because the teams in Europe aren't NBA caliber doesn't mean they want to pay people to do the bare minimum.

[GoMuskies]

I sincerely doubt Justin Martin will play for the NBA.

No doubt. You have as good a shot at playing in the NBA as he does.

[LadyMuskie]

Go beat me to it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I dont think anyone thinks Justin is going to play in the NBA and that isnt what the article said.

[LadyMuskie]

I am turning pro in basketball today too! Woo Hoo! Anyone want to be my agent? I need a tryout somewhere STAT!

Seems to me you have a chance. I know people who have played pro ball and were walk-ons for online universities! If they can play in Europe, so too can you.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I should have qualified my statement. I sincerely doubt Justin Martin will play for the NBA.

Edit: But, you know, the more I think about it, the more I think it's possible he plays for pay nowhere unless he pulls it together. He was never the world's hardest worker. Now he's leaving another school, and this time mid-season. I don't know. Just because the teams in Europe aren't NBA caliber doesn't mean they want to pay people to do the bare minimum.

I would love to have your inside info on all that is Justin Martin. What exactly is it that he needs to pull together?

I agree with AlwaysLearning.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Boo Hoo .... Justin's gonna play pro basketball ... gonna make lotsa money (tax free) boo hoo .. ain't fair!
What is it with you people who just have to take cheap shots at Justin?
He is a Xavier graduate, played basketball and started. Never embarrassed the University or its program in any way.
Oh, he didn't live up to your expectations? Boo Hoo

Public Reps, the man is holding me down.

[XMuskieFTW]

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is always hiring if the basketball thing doesn't work out.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is always hiring if the basketball thing doesn't work out.

And they'll pick you up.

[SemajParlor]

I think it's crazy because it's Justin Martin. You know. That Justin Martin. It would have been like me saying I was going to play professional volleyball because I played in rec leagues in college. Just because you play a sport doesn't mean you can play it professionally.

Ummm, what?

[xsteve1]

Boo Hoo .... Justin's gonna play pro basketball ... gonna make lotsa money (tax free) boo hoo .. ain't fair!
What is it with you people who just have to take cheap shots at Justin?
He is a Xavier graduate, played basketball and started. Never embarrassed the University or its program in any way.
Oh, he didn't live up to your expectations? Boo Hoo

People get overly sensitive at criticism towards a university employee making a million dollars or whatever salary close to it but have no trouble slamming a guy who has his Xavier degree and never embarrassed the University like you said.

[SemajParlor]

As a longtime diehard follower of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, I can assure you.. Justin Martin can play professional basketball somewhere if he wanted.

[XU-PA]

Boo Hoo .... Justin's gonna play pro basketball ... gonna make lotsa money (tax free) boo hoo .. ain't fair!
What is it with you people who just have to take cheap shots at Justin?
He is a Xavier graduate, played basketball and started. Never embarrassed the University or its program in any way.
Oh, he didn't live up to your expectations? Boo Hoo

Reps both ways, thanks again to Justin for his time at XU, best of luck as you embark on a professional career,

[American X]

Good luck, Justin. I have a memory of you playing basketball.

[ammtd34]

I have two friends who have made nice careers out of playing basketball overseas. One played for Bowling Green and has been in Israel for 5 years. The other was a Division III All American and played in Germany for 4 years. He hasn't had to do anything since he came back 18 months ago.

[Muskie]

People cut Justin less slack because of his perceived attitude.

[drudy23]

I don't think anyone is arguing his ability to earn a living playing basketball. Does he have the mental toughness to go to a place like Russia and tough it out for a few years while earning a paycheck? We shall see.

[Woodburn]

I am going to take this opportunity to thank Justin for his outstanding trolling of the nerds at Mackey Areana in 2012. After he fouled out, the "Paint Crew" or whatever started doing the tired "right, left, right left...sit down!" chant. Only Justin didn't sit and stood at the bench for the rest of the game. Apparently, deviating from the algorithm was impossible for the Crew and they basically sat there dumbfounded as Xavier sealed the game. The epicenter of passive aggressiveness.

Also - I sat behind Justin's family at Hinkle a few years ago. They couldn't have been nicer and more fun to sit close to as we watched another Xavier beatdown.

[BandAid]

People cut Justin less slack because of his perceived attitude.

Which is really just the way his face looks. Have you ever heard of resting bitch face? Justin kind of has that, except it's resting indifference face.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Which is really just the way his face looks. Have you ever heard of resting bitch face? Justin kind of has that, except it's resting indifference face.

Yeah, athletes get accused of this all the time. Kind of funny/ridiculous.

[Muskie]

I think Martin sulked quite a bit. I wasn't sorry when he transferred. But that doesn't mean I don't wish him well. If he can get paid to play hoops, good on him and I hope it works out for him.

[pimpinthebox]

To clarify when I posted this, it just seemed a little shocking. That's all. The guy left here for a fresh start at SMU, could crack the rotation/didn't get along with Larry/whatever. Just a bit shocking that he's opting to leave now in the middle of the season. He was never my favorite player, but I never had a reason to dislike the guy. All I know is that, unless something has changed, he will likely be playing somewhere where they gots good weed. More power to him. Travel the world and make the money playing the game you love if and while you can, my man.

[Cheesehead]

My wife ran into Justin working the gate at an AAU tournament in Indy this past summer and said he was very polite and respectful towards her she told him our family were big XU fans. Having said that, It did look like he was never really happy at X either by his body language or facial expression. I think part of it is he is on the shy side. He had his moments but could never put it all together. Let's face it, he drove us nuts. Regardless I wish him the best and hope it all works out for him.