July 6, 2007

Story published by NBL on June 27.

Mixed emotions and excitement are how Damian Martin describes his feelings about leaving the U.S. to play in the NBL for the West Sydney Razorbacks.

"It's hard to leave my friends and it's been a good experience here, but I'm excited to go home and play. It's always been my dream to play professional basketball in Australia."

Martin will get to see his dream come true in a few short months as he moves back to Australia to begin his first season with the Razorbacks under head coach Rob Beveridge. He comes from playing at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where he studied liberal arts and psychology.

In his years at LMU, Martin was able to showcase his talent for three seasons, missing his third year of play due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. He achieved many honours while playing there, including being named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman team in 2003/04 and being named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in his last season at LMU.

Even though Martin experienced much success playing in the US, he admits that it was a big adjustment at first.

"The skill level is about the same in Australia but I think the level of athleticism is a lot different. I had to get used to playing with guys that are much quicker and where almost everyone can get up there and dunk."

But the transition to the style of play as well as the lifestyle in the US was made a little easier since he left for LMU with fellow Australian and Junior National teammate Matthew Knight.

"It was a big transition, both on the court and emotionally, but I feel like I did okay."

Now Martin faces a new challenge as he prepares to transition from college to the NBL, but he is excited to do so. In preparation for the upcoming season, he has been spending his last few weeks in the US practicing daily and lifting weights with his teammates.

For the complete story go to: Dragons Online.