EDW’s Martin signs with NSU

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day.

It certainly was for Ben Martin the morning he met with Nicholls State University men’s basketball coach J.P. Piper last month at Envie, a Cajun eatery in Thibodaux.

After all, it was during that meal when the E.D. White shooting guard announced one of the most monumental decisions of his young life.

“Right in the middle of the eating, I told him that I really wanted to come to Nicholls State,” Martin said.

The marriage became official last week when Martin accepted a scholarship to play for the Colonels next season.

“The program is on the rise, and I really want to help it out,” said Martin, who plans on majoring in pre-med. “Plus, the school is practically in my backyard. I also really liked Coach Piper. He’s a good man and a good coach and I know he’ll be there for me for the next four years.”

Martin accomplished a lot during the four years he played under Coach Jonathan Kiefe and the Cardinals.

The 6-foot-3 senior finished his career with more than 1,300 points, making him only the second player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points. His game particularly peaked during his final season, when Martin averaged 17 points per game en route to helping E.D. White (28-8) advance to the 3A state finals for the first time ever.

Martin was rewarded with First Team All-State honors and a ‘Top 28’ All-Tournament Team nod.

But the individual accolades mean little to Martin.

Being part of a winning organization is the only thing he truly covets.

“Ben isn’t concerned with his stats,” Kiefe said. “He’s always team-oriented. He always wants to do whatever it takes to get the team a win.”

Of course, Martin might have to wait.

“This is a young man who has never sat on the bench before at any level of basketball,” Kiefe added. “He’s always been the star of the team. I talked to him about the possibility of having to sit for a while at Nicholls, and he expressed that this isn’t a concern of his. It shows a lot of character.”

When his time comes, however, Piper believes the transition will be smooth.

“Coach Kiefe runs a motion-based offense with a lot of cutting and screening,” Piper explained. “Players are taught to read their defenders and they’re given a lot of freedom. Ben was excellent in that system and this will give him a head start with our system.”

Martin’s ability to elevate his teammates also leaves Piper feeling optimistic.

“His leadership really jumps out,” Piper said. “The kids at E.D. White played well as a team, and that just doesn’t happen on its own. I think the kids on the team really respected him.”

Basketball has always been in Martin’s blood.

His parents played high school hoops at South Lafourche. An injury prevented his father from suiting up at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, but his mother capped off a luminous career at NSU (1983-86), finishing second in assists and fifth in steals on the program’s all-time list.

Their knowledge of the game was passed down to their son. In addition to his shooting ability, Martin’s basketball acumen is one of the greatest assets he brings to the hardwood.

“Ben always makes smart decisions with the ball and never loses his poise in clutch situations,” Kiefe said.

Martin hopes to add at least 10 pounds of bulk to his sinewy frame this summer in a push to better prepare himself for the rigors of collegiate competition.

“Ben will have to spend time in the weight room and he’s obviously going to have to improve his game, but he will definitely be able to do that,” Kiefe said. “He’s a good basketball player with all-around skills who will fit in nicely at Nicholls. I think Piper got a good steal.”

Martin joins Joshua Johnson of Houston, Texas and Bakari Lewis of Bradenton, Fla. in the Colonels 2007-08 recruiting class.

NSU posted a 7-9 record in last year’s Southland Conference standings and finished 8-22 overall.

Staff photo by Matt LeBlanc * Tri-Parish Times * E.D. White guard Ben Martin will play for Nicholls State next year.