Nets Latest: Interim HC Kevin Ollie Signs His Apprentice From Overtime Elite

The Brooklyn Nets haven’t been taking it easy after the All-Star Weekend. Stuck at 11th in the Eastern Conference, they decided to shake things up while most others were vacationing during the break. First, head coach Jacque Vaughn was fired, and former NBA player Kevin Ollie took his place. But that’s not all! Coach Ollie has signed his protégé from Overtime Elite (a league for 16 to 20-year-olds). So, who is this young rookie? Let’s find out!

Shams Charania of The Athletic tweeted about the two-way deal which involved signing G League Westchester Knicks forward, Jaylen Martin. In the tweet, Martin’s shooting prowess was also highlighted with him averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, and hitting 40% of his threes in the regular G League season.

The tweet was retweeted by Erik Slater, a beat reporter for the Brooklyn Nets. He further added a couple of nuggets about the young forward by stating that, “Martin was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022 but passed on several offers to join Overtime Elite, where he was coached by Kevin Ollie.“

Before becoming an assistant coach for the Nets, Kevin Ollie spent six years at the University of Connecticut, leading them to a championship victory a decade ago. He then joined Overtime Elite as Coaching Director for two years, offering an alternative path to young basketball players outside the NCAA or NBA G League Ignite.

This is where Ollie’s paths crossed with Jaylen Martin, a 20-year-old forward from Tallahassee, Florida. After a standout season, Martin went undrafted but reportedly had offers from established programs like Florida, Georgia, and Georgetown. He opted for Overtime Elite instead, showcasing his willingness to explore uncharted waters.

New hope after the reunion?

Martin continued to impress, averaging 14 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists with 1.6 steals per game. The Knicks saw his potential and signed him to two consecutive two-way deals, assigning him to their G League affiliate. While he was waived twice, he persevered, and he remained in White Plains, eventually returning to Westchester after each release. He ultimately caught the Nets’ attention, leading to his current opportunity.

Martin is now the third-youngest player on the team, younger than the Nets’ 2023 first-round picks, Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney. With only 28 games left, everyone’s wondering what the future holds. Will Ollie give Martin his NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors on February 23rd? Can this coach-player duo be the key to turning things around?

Read More: “I’m Built for This”: Nets’ Temporary HC Kevin Ollie on Picking up Jacque Vaughn’s Slack

One thing’s for sure: the Brooklyn Nets’ post-All-Star break won’t be boring. With a new coach and a young player eager to prove himself, the next few weeks look to be exciting for fans and basketball experts alike. Stay tuned to find out!

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