Where will Chuck Martin recruit?
Frank Martin seemingly has a pipeline set up somewhere near Times Square that funnels basketball players from the Northeast down to Columbia and drops them off at Colonial Life Arena.
He’s set up a steady stream of players from New York and New Jersey, relying on contributions from Northeastern players during his time at South Carolina. It’s something he’s recruited vigorously, and now he might have some more help doing that.
Newly-hired assistant Chuck Martin is coming in fresh off a stint at Indiana where he helped recruit in that area.
“I’m sure that’s going to be a place we’re going to hit, and he has already before I even got here,” Chuck Martin said. “So Frank has already done that without me. I like to think I can add to that with some of my contacts and expertise.”
The Gamecocks currently have two players from New York or New Jersey on their roster. Rakym Felder, from Brooklyn, played his basketball at Lincoln High School while Chris Silva, originally from Gabon, played at Roselle Catholic in New Jersey.
Chuck Martin was born in Puerto Rico, but was raised in New York City and played college basketball at Monmouth in New Jersey. He’s helped recruit McDonald’s All-Americans and is known as a good recruiter throughout college basketball.
It’s that recruiting prowess and humble personality that attracted Frank Martin to Chuck. There was never any doubt Chuck was the No. 1 candidate for the job, and Frank is excited to see what he can bring to the table.
“I think Chuck brings that to add to what Bruce (Shingler) is doing, what Perry (Clark’s) done,” Martin said. “Here’s the best part of Chuck: he’s very humble. He’s not going to show up and tell us how to work. On the contrary, he’s going to show up and understand how we work first.”
It’s unclear what Chuck’s recruiting territory will be, but he said he’s happy with whatever Frank wants him to do. Chuck said he’d take the lead of the team’s head coach.
The Gamecocks are out recruiting now with the coaches getting one final push in before starting practice once the semester begins. Chuck has had stops at seven schools before South Carolina and another with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s that journeyman career that Frank likes, since his new assistant has been able to learn from a wealth of coaches, including John Calipari and Tom Crean.
Chuck’s still learning the ropes at South Carolina, but Frank knows once he gets into the swing of things, he’ll be able add tremendous benefit to a Gamecock coaching staff.
“He’s coming in, and he wants to add value. As he adds value, then we’re asking him for his thoughts so we can implement that into what we already think,” Frank said. “That’s how you grow. And he gets that.”
Also see: Inside the Commitment: Lavonte Valentine | Monday Recruiting Notes | More insight into Kingston | Steven Gilmore Jr looks ahead to decision date
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