Butler Forward Kelan Martin Discusses Journey to 2018 NBA Draft

The 2018 NBA Draft is less than a month away, which means that 60 prospects will fulfill their dream of becoming a professional basketball player. Thanks to our very own Perry Waggoner, we were able to get a behind the scenes look at Butler forward Kelan Martin’s path to the draft. Martin was a unanimous All-Big East performer in 2018 and was named as an AP Honorable Mention All-American.

This is our first installment of the back-and-forth between the two Bulldogs, as we will be checking in with Martin again before June 21.

Before we get to the questions, here is a brief rundown of the 22-year-old wing as a prospect.

Kelan Martin

• Height: 6’7’’
• Weight: 220
• Shoots: Right
• Position: Small Forward
• Age: 22
• Projected draft range: Late 2nd Round - Undrafted

2017-18 Statistics

• PPG: 21.2 | Per 40: 23.8
• RPG: 6.3 | Per 40: 7.0
• APG: 2.0 | Per 40: 2.2
• FG%: 44.7
• 3P%: 36.4
• FT%: 84.4

Blazer’s Edge: What have you been doing since we last saw you on the court? When did you start ramping up your work for the Draft process?

Kelan Martin: I have just been working on my game each and every day trying to become a better all around player. I took 3 days off after the season and ramped it back up trying to get back into game shape by slimming my body down.

BE: Anything specific you are working on? Any specific feedback you’ve taken into consideration?

KM: Nothing specific, just getting consistent on everything.

BE: Can you tell us a bit about the agent selection process, and how you landed with your current agent?

KM: I met him last summer with my parents and just felt comfortable with him and trusted him as a person and a guy who was going to work for my benefit.

BE: We all know this journey has some speed bumps, what are you doing to mitigate your absence at the NBA Combine?

KM: Just continuing to show everybody that I’m capable of playing in the NBA and just staying humble.

BE: What’s been the most enjoyable part of this process so far?

KM: Working out for teams getting to show my all around game.

BE: Have you always dreamt of being an NBA player? At this point what is it like to be so close to making that leap?

KM: Yes I always dreamed of being an NBA player and now it’s just a blessing to be this far. Everyday I pray I can be able to play and represent my family in a positive way and show others from my city what hard work looks like.

BE: What kind of player would the Trail Blazers be getting if they landed your services?

KM: A guy who is a hard worker, plays hard can score the ball in a variety of ways and is willing to win. A competitor is what they will get.

A big thank you to Kelan Martin for taking the time to share his experience with us so far. If you want to follow Martin’s journey between exchanges you can find him on Twitter here.