July 6, 2007

Los Angeles, CA (July 6) - Loyola Marymount point guard Damian Martin did everything asked of a student-athlete. He led his team by giving everything he had and more, graduated in four years, used his time to better himself so he could turn pro. So, his decision to forgo his fifth year for the Lions was not a surprise as he signed a contract to play professionally in his hometown in Australia.

Martin, who served a medical redshirt the 2005-06 season, will not return for his fifth-year after signing a contract to play with the West Sydney Razorbacks. He has signed a three-year contract with the Razorbacks.

"This is a great opportunity for Damian," said LMU Head Coach Rodney Tention. "He earned his degree, was named the WCC's Defender of the Year this past season and gave this program everything. You can't ask more of a player. He will be missed."

Martin became just the second player in LMU history to earn West Coast Conference Defender of the Year. He finished the season with 65 steals, tied for fourth all-time in LMU history with Tony Walker (1990). He has moved into the career top-10 with 158, moving to sixth all-time.

In 2006-07, he averaged 5.0 rebounds per game (ranked 9th in the WCC), 3.35 assists (7th in WCC) and 2.10 steals (2nd in WCC). In WCC games, he is first in steals (2.43) and 11th in rebounds (5.2).

Martin posted a career-high in points in back-to-back nights, going for 16 on 7-for-12 shooting against USF and then went for 18 on 8-for-11 shooting against USD. On the week, he averaged 17.5 points 9.5 rebounds (including a career best 14 against USF), 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks.

He went for six points, six rebounds, two blocks and four steals against Pepperdine and then went for eight points, eight assists, four steals and no turnovers against Santa Clara. The increasing numbers continues a trend in his first full season in two years. He went for 11 assists, the most in 10 years, against New Mexico State. He followed that with an impressive 10 rebounds, a school-record nine steals, and six assists in the win over Boise State.

For more on Martin in the NBL, see a feature story by the South Dragons.