Athlete Spotlight: Nicholas Martinez

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- Our athlete spotlight features the reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Week, Nicholas Martinez (Fr., G, Revere, Mass). Martinez scored 22 points on 8-of-12 (66.7%) shooting with four rebounds and four assists in Salem State's 87-82 win against Colby-Sawyer. 

Martinez was surprised upon initially hearing he had won the award. "Yes, I was surprised. It means a lot, because I played in my first college basketball game, and I did what I've been doing my whole life." 

The Revere native spoke about how locked in he was for his 22-point performance to begin his Viking career. "I was locked in since the moment I got on the bus. My routine is I try not to talk to anyone and just focus on the game."  

The SMS major expressed how everyone was collaborating during the game, which helped Salem State earn their first win of the season. "The first game was a step in the right direction for the team. Everyone played as a team and not individually. We had one goal as a team that night and it was to win. We still have much to improve on as the season goes on, but overall, it was a step in the right direction." 

Martinez talked about why he wanted to come to Salem State. "I wanted to be a Viking to help the basketball team in whichever way I could. I wanted to help the team win."  

The freshmen shared his off-season and in-season routines. "During the off-season I just play basketball every day, whether it's a workout or playing pick-up basketball and I also run. My routine before a game is that I just listen to music and focus on the game I'm going to be playing in. I also try not to talk to anyone before the game. My game routine is different than my practice routine."  

Martinez, who started playing basketball when he was four, mentioned a few of his idols, which includes his mom. "My idol is my mom. She was also a basketball player, and she has done so much in my life from teaching me everything I know in basketball to much more. My other idols are professional basketball players such as Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum."  

A person that has inspired him in such a unique way is his mom. "[My] mom she has taught me everything I know in basketball and always pushed me to be my best on and off the court."  

His favorite professional team is the Boston Celtics and a professional player he would love to meet is either Steph Curry or Kevin Durant. 

Martinez and Salem State they will travel to Boston, Massachusetts on November 18 to face Emerson College. Game time is at 1 p.m.