Martin also has an outstanding long-range jumper, which he demonstrated in his 45-point game, hitting 6-of-10 three-point attempts.
“Coach [Sullivan] said I remind him of Dan Clemente,” Martin said, referring to Harvard’s former captain and all-time leading three-point shooter.
Kessler believes that Martin’s range was what drew the Harvard staff’s interest.
“I think Harvard saw his outside shooting,” he said. “He’s a shooter, all right. He’s got great court awareness, too.”
“The Ivy League is more about finesse,” Kessler added. “Zach will fit in very well there.”
Martin headlines a Harvard recruiting class that so far includes Sebastian Anderle, a 6’11 center from Los Angeles, and two more wing players in Michael Beal of Brooklyn, N.Y., and local product Shawn Driscoll.
Beal is the most promising player after Martin. An athletic 6’4 shooting guard, he attended the Nike All-America Basketball Camp, held last summer for 180 of the most talented high school players in the country.
Beal made his official visit together with Martin. The two attended Harvard’s game at Princeton two weeks ago.
A few other players are on Harvard’s radar screen. One is Luke Ruscoe, a 6’7 forward and under-20 New Zealand National Team member. According to rivalshoops.com, Ruscoe has narrowed his list of schools to three—James Madison, Dartmouth and Harvard.
The recruits should provide a shot in the arm for the Harvard program, which will graduate seven of its current players by next year. While not commenting on specific players, Sullivan acknowledged that it’s probable that a freshman could crack the starting lineup next year.
“You never know until you get them here, but I think there could be somebody that could [step in right away],” Sullivan said.
Martin is the likeliest candidate to get the nod.
“The coaches didn’t promise me anything,” Martin said of his chances at starting next year. “But they said that if I work hard, I’ll get a chance.”
No freshman has been a regular contributor for the Crimson since two years ago, when Elliott Prasse-Freeman, Brady Merchant, Sam Winter and Onnie Mayshak all started games.
Last year, Harvard’s only rookie was forward Kam Walton. He is no longer with the team.