KU men’s basketball transfer Cam Martin describes practice, Late Night update and more

Kansas super-senior power forward Cam Martin says the Jayhawks have made steady progress on a daily basis two full weeks into the 2022-23 season.

“Practice is going really well. We’re all starting to kind of figure out how to play together. It’s been a lot smoother than the first couple days,” Martin, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound transfer from Missouri Southern State University, told The Star at the Coaches Vs. Cancer Tipoff event Thursday night at the Crown Automotive ballroom in Lawrence.

“Everybody’s starting to figure out what coach (Bill Self) wants. It’s been really good,” Martin added.

Martin, the second-leading scorer in MSSU history, has done a lot of practicing without the reward of playing in games so far in his time at KU. He redshirted — that is, practiced but didn’t dress for actual games — during the Jayhawks’ 2021-22 national title season.

“It’s definitely a lot easier to know what to expect,” Martin said of this year’s workouts in his second season at KU. “I had COVID (recently) and had to miss a week. I had an oblique strain but am 100% now. I’ve been practicing 100%,” he added noting he’d been practicing the past week and a half. Official workouts began on Sept. 26.

Of the difference between his redshirt year and this year, Martin noted: “Last year I was getting rid of bad habits I developed from Div. II (level). I figured out what I was allowed to do and how more physical I could play (at Div. I level rather than Div. II). That took a little bit to adjust to.”

Martin, who is known as a big man who can step past the three-point arc and shoot the three, said he’s been playing, “the 5-position really, playing different things out of the 5 — on the defensive end of the floor and posting up (on offense) mainly at the 5.”

Still there could be outside shooting opportunities for Martin this season if he is able to crack the rotation.

After hitting 11 of 26 threes (42.3%) during his freshman year at Jacksonville State, he converted 31 of 89 threes (34.8%) in his sophomore season at MSSU, 34 of 95 (35.8%) his junior year and 49 of 110 (44.5%) as a senior. He averaged 25.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in 2020-21 before heading to KU for a super-senior season.

“If I’m open and it’s a good shot I’ve been told to shoot it every time,” Martin said of the three.

The Jayhawks have one true post player on the roster in 6-11, 250-pound freshman Ernest Udeh. Guys who can play the 4 and 5 include Martin, 6-9 freshman Zuby Ejiofor, 6-7 sophomore KJ Adams and 6-10 sophomore Zach Clemence.

Word is Udeh and Ejiofor look like frontcourt players who could help the team right away.

“They are both really good, They’ve both gotten a lot better because they’ve been here (since start of summer school in June),” Martin said. “They are probably two of the most improved players. They are working hard. They want it now. Both are young and have a lot of improving to do, but they’ve got a good work ethic so I’m excited for them.”

Reports have also been positive concerning the outside shooting about of 6-8 freshman guard Gradey Dick, a a former Sunrise Christian Academy standout player called a “terrific shooter,” by Self.

“Gradey gets his shot off whenever he wants. The defense can’t get to the ball,” Martin said. “I think he’ll play a big role. He’s a great shooter and has done a good job so far.”

Martin said he sees the 22-23 Jayhawks accomplishing a lot this season. Could they be a contender for Big 12 and national honors?

“Yes for sure,” Martin said. “I don’t want to look too far ahead. I think we have a real talented team. We all have big goals. I think we will come together this season. We’re excited to get started.”

Self, Adams praise Cam Martin

KU coach Self had this to say about Martin back in June: “Cam is a good player. He is a legitimate 6-8 1/2, can shoot it, has pretty good bounce. His athleticism has improved a ton. The question I have with him: ‘Can he actually defend and protect the rim?’ That’s not what he’s ever done. He’s been a scorer. ... He’s really good. For him to become really, really good he will have to take steps on that (defensive) end. He will have to get where he rebounds the ball better, defends his position to be terrific. But he’ll be good from the start. He can score.”

Noted big man Adams: “Cam can shoot the ball, but he’s a strong post player, so he can do all types of things. It just depends what he’s needed to do.”

Martin pleased to support Coaches Vs. Cancer

The Kansas Jayhawks as a team attended last weeks Coaches Vs. Cancer fundraiser. The squad donated $10,000 of NIL money to the cause. At the event it was reported about $210,000 total had been raised for the fight against cancer.

“Cancer has affected most of us on the team,” Martin said. “We have family members and people we know (who have had cancer). Having an opportunity to come support the event and be here is important to all of us.”

Late Night in the Phog is Friday night

The Kansas Jayhawks will hold an intrasquad scrimmage at Friday’s Late Night in the Phog at Allen Fieldhouse. Late Night, which will also include a women’s team scrimmage, men’s and women’s team skits and/or dance numbers and the unveiling of the 2022 national title banner, will start at 6 p.m. and conclude with a DJ set from DJ Diesel, better known as Shaquille O’Neal.

Student gates will open at 4:45 p.m. General public gates will open at 5 p.m. Generally the show ends between 9 and 10 p.m.

Kansas Athletics will also host Phog Fest on the front lawn of Allen Fieldhouse before Late Night, with activities starting at 2 p.m. It will include the Hawk Zone with inflatable games and music. Phog Fest will also include food trucks, giveaways from a variety of sponsors, interactive displays and more.