Martin, Mickey Could Form SEC’s Best Frontcourt
Sophomore All-SEC forwards Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey have their eyes set on an SEC Championship and a NCAA Tournament run.
After experiencing postseason play in the NIT as freshmen, Martin and Mickey know that they both have to step up as leaders on the team to make that goal attainable.
Over the summer, the duo attended the Nike Big Man Camp in New Jersey and the LeBron James Skills Camp in Las Vegas and competed against some of the best collegiate basketball players in the country.
“It was a great experience playing against some of the best players in the country,” Mickey said. “It was an honor to just be there and be considered one of the best in the nation. I learned a lot just being around that group of talent. There’s always someone working to get in front of you, so you have to keep pushing yourself.”
Aside from the camps Martin and Mickey attended, they have both continued to spend countless hours in the gym during the offseason. Both have been working on shooting, ball handling and perimeter work, and they have turned to yoga to help them with their flexibility.
“I didn’t really stretch in high school, and last year it hit me. I didn’t know how important stretching was. Over the summer, I took yoga and made sure that I could get a little flexible and be able to defend on the perimeter, and it helps with being explosive,” said Martin.
The frontcourt dynamic duo is doing whatever it takes to make sure that they are able to finish games with a win.
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“Coming into this season, I have a much bigger role on the team knowing that a lot of our power players left … They helped us a lot last year. Jordan and I and the guys coming in have to step up and be leaders out there,” said Martin.
Martin and Mickey are relying on men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones to drive the team to success. They also know that they can turn to him for off-the-court advice.
“Coach Jones and I have a great relationship. He’s like a father to me, actually. No matter what he’s doing, he is always there for me, and he always invites me over to the office just to talk or watch TV. He’s never too busy for his players,” Mickey said.
Jones expects nothing less than the best effort from his players, and he makes sure that they understand that.
“Coach Jones likes players who go out and work hard. You don’t have to be the most talented player out there. He wants someone who is going to work hard from the jump to the end of the game,” Martin said.
Over the summer, Athlon Sports named the duo to the national All-Sophomore team, and stated “Mickey joined exclusive company by becoming only the second player in LSU history with 100 blocked shots in a season. The other is Shaquille O’Neal. After averaging 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, Mickey will team with fellow sophomore Jarell Martin for what could be the SEC’s best frontcourt duo.”
Mickey and Martin are aware of the expectations and challenge each other in the weight room and the gym every day.
“We have people who are dependent on us. With Jordan’s defensive ability, his blocking shots, his timing is excellent, we can definitely be one of the best frontcourts here at LSU,” Martin said.
Mickey and Martin’s relationship extends off of the court. They refer to each other as brothers and state that aside from the fans and the atmosphere of LSU athletics, they came to the university to play basketball together.
“Jordan’s an extremely hard worker. We go in the weight room, and he’s the guy I partner up with. We challenge each other each and every morning. He’s hard-working, humble. He’s a caring guy. He has love for his teammates and his family. He tries to do whatever he can to help people,” Martin said.
The two are always together. Whether at home or on the court, the duo is inseparable, and their chemistry shows on the floor.