BY JOE GIGLIO
jgiglio@newsobserver.com
One of the constants in a difficult season for N.C. State was the effort of twins Caleb and Cody Martin. The Wolfpack will have to improve next season without them.
The sophomore twins announced their decision to leave N.C. State on Thursday. They are the fourth and fifth scholarship players to transfer out of the program in the past four years.
Caleb Martin, a 6-7, 215-pound wing, averaged 11.5 points and started 19 games. Cody Martin, a 6-7, 210-pound wing, started the final 16 games and was one of the best defensive players on the team. He averaged 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
The twins had plenty of minutes this past season, with the Wolfpack falling back from a Sweet 16 team a year ago to 16-17 overall, but they had concerns about their role in coach Mark Gottfried’s system going forward.
“They felt like they didn’t fit into the offensive scheme,” said Jared Eure, their stepfather. “They loved playing at N.C. State, and in the ACC, but ultimately they wanted to try something different.”
Even after losing junior guard Cat Barber to the NBA draft on Tuesday, N.C. State had a potential logjam at the three perimeter positions next season. Senior guard Terry Henderson is expected to return from an ankle injury. Guards Maverick Rowan and Shaun Kirk are expected to return for their sophomore seasons.
IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION FOR US, BUT WE FEEL THAT IS BEST THAT WE MOVE ON.
Cody Martin on decision to transfer from NC State
Combo guard Torin Dorn is eligible after sitting out after transferring from Charlotte. Add in freshman point guard Dennis Smith and Gottfried still has five scholarship players for three guard spots.
Caleb Martin averaged 30.5 minutes per game this season and Cody averaged 25.8. There was probably room for one twin to play extensively next season but not both.
In a release from the school, Gottfried said he had “somewhat surprising” conversations with the twins since the season ended with a 92-89 loss to Duke in the ACC tournament on March 9 and that they informed him of their decision.
“While I don’t share all of their views, I have certainly come to understand and respect the unique dynamic and special bond that exists between identical twins, especially when they play the same sport for the same team,” Gottfried said in the statement released by the school.
In a statement released by the school, both twins thanked the fans for their support.
“It definitely was not an easy decision for us, but we feel that is best that we move on,” Cody Martin said in the school’s release.
The plan is for the twins to transfer to the same the school, their stepfather said. There’s a remote possibility they could graduate early and be eligible next season, Eure said, but it’s more likely they will sit out the year.
“They want to take this chance to improve and work on their game,” Eure said.
The twins haven’t been in contact with any other school, Eure said, but hope to make a decision by the end of April.
Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and VCU recruited the twins, who are from Mocksville, out of high school. It’s unlikely N.C. State will allow them to transfer to another ACC school.
“The recruiting process starts all over again,” Eure said.
Rodney Purvis (Connecticut), Tyler Lewis (Butler) and Kyle Washington (Cincinnati) have also transferred out of the Wolfpack program since 2013.
Gottfried has had success in adding transfers over the same time: Ralston Turner, Trevor Lacey, Henderson and Dorn.
The twins exit means N.C. State will have eight players on scholarship next season. The NCAA limit is 13. Gottfried was in Turkey recently recruiting 6-11 forward Omer Yurtseven, who is considered a five-star prospect.
Giglio: 919-829-8938
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