[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Alijah Martin
Frame: 6’2”, 185 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Florida Gators
2023 Draft Age: 23
Stats via sports-reference.com

Offense

Martin seized the opportunity of the new college basketball landscape and is now the only player to start multiple Final Fours with different teams. His energy was the throughline for the Gators the entire season. Martin, having gotten close to the mountaintop with Florida Atlantic’s Cinderella run, came to Gainesville with a mission and the knowledge of what it takes to get back and go beyond the Final Four.

Martin pushes the pace on the floor on a team built for speed. If he finds open space, he’s driving to the basket or able to pull up from deep. Though his numbers were floating around 45 percent from the field this year, his Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG) was up around 57 percent. The eFG factors in the three-point baskets are given greater weight than two-point attempts. Though Martin’s shot mechanics overall look smooth, his hand placement can be slightly exaggerated and slide up the curve, distorting the trajectory slightly as it leaves his hands.

Playing the role of a glue guy, Martin’s versatile skill set on the offensive side of the ball allowed him to shine in moments throughout the year. He moves well without the ball in his hands, but has a strong first step to create separation on his drives. Martin is physical as a smaller guard, displaying thunderous dunks throughout the season.

Martin typically plays off the ball, but has shown flashes of playmaking abilities. This will be the most important aspect of his future development, with his size and frame. If he can consistently assume a secondary ball-handler role and make the right play, he should have an easier path to finding a way to a sustainable career. He certainly has the intangibles one would seek out in a player, and he does appear to play with a controlled aggression that only helps motivate his teammates.

Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, Martin is a very strong rebounder for his stature. His athleticism and springiness help him skying for the glass. Even though his rebounding numbers dipped a bit this season, he was still impressive and came up with game-altering rebounds. This Florida squad also had more size than the Owls teams he transferred from, and the bigs, like everyone on the Gators team this season, understood and bought into their role and maximized their value in that role, just like Martin.

Martin plays well without fouling while using his aggressiveness and physicality on the defensive end. He took his share of hits as a former high school football quarterback, but he’s gotten back up and kept playing. On the court, he’s worked his frame to continue to take punishment while fighting through screens and diving on the floor. Martin is the player who may not always have an eye-popping box score read, but he does the little things that don’t frequently show up in black and white, yet still impact the game. He will sacrifice his body for a loose ball after forcing the ball out of a player’s hands and be the first to the floor.

Looking Ahead

For teams looking at taking Martin, he needs to continue to grow his playmaking skills. Though he does not have the positional size for the off-guard role, his athleticism can make up for some of that as he continues to develop his body. As an older prospect, he may also be more ready to contribute sooner at the next level.

Martin brings both a winner’s and warrior mentality to the court. He knows what it takes to compete at the highest levels of college basketball. His shooting inconsistencies can be improved with work, and he seems ready, willing, and able to do anything that will help his game and give him a chance to compete and play at the highest levels of the game.

The intangibles will help Martin find a role once he is selected. His skill and ability will help solidify that role and allow him to grow as a player and go head-to-head against the best in the world. If Martin can continue to grow his game while adding in those playmaking skills, he will certainly see the floor and be given all opportunities to flourish. Martin is like a slightly shorter version of Antonio Blakeney as a scorer, rebounder, and defender. Martin’s effort never waivers, and he will find a way to carve out a long career as a steadying force from the perimeter and glue guy on a team.