Jordan HammBobby Hurley is blessed with his most talented roster in his ASU tenure, and perhaps the program’s history, but that can also be a curse. Having so much depth and so much talent, specifically in the backcourt, can make it tough to divy up minutes and plays for the laundry list of playmakers.
Ironing out these details will take selflessness. It will take patience. Lucky for the Devils, they have both in senior point guard Remy Martin.
The AP Preseason All-American was one of Hurley’s highest rated recruits when he signed with ASU in 2017. While he was used to being “the guy” up until that time on the court, he came off the bench in the inception “Guard U” with veterans Kodi Justice, Tra Holder and Shannon Evans.
He thrived in that role, played consistently and earned Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman. His role expanded as a sophomore paired with now Oklahoma City Thunder members Zylan Cheatham and Luguentz Dort. Last year, he delivered big moment after big moment and averaged over 19 points per game, second-best in the Pac-12.
Now he’s one of the premier college basketball players in the nation and leading a roster that primed for new heights in the Bobby Hurley era. But even now, he stills goes back to those days as a freshman, accepting a role and doing what’s best the for the team.
black is back 🏴🔱 pic.twitter.com/wRBVDoIULd
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 25, 2020
He’s shared those lessons with talented newcomers Josh Christopher and Marcus Bagley. He sees a lot of himself in sophomore guard Jaelen House, an unyielding defender who makes every possession, every pass difficult. As Remy goes, so go the Sun Devils.
Each year, Remy Martin’s accomplishments and recognition has grown alongside the program’s profile. In a year with high expectations and plenty of uncertainty with coronavirus being the Devils’ most unrelenting opponent this season, ASU men’s basketball will follow their point guard’s lead with patience and selflessness.
