Major: Transfer
Although Jake Martin didn’t play much basketball in high school, he made the team at College of DuPage and is now a professional player in Australia, following in his father’s footsteps.
“I tried out for the basketball team at COD and coach Don Klaas gave me a shot,” he said. “Seeing I wasn’t the most athletic, I just worked harder on the basketball court. He molded me into the player I am today and actually coached my dad, Edward, about 20 odd years before that.”
Martin also reaped the benefits of COD off the court.
“Being at College of DuPage taught me how to be responsible and committed,” he said. “I did two years at the ‘College of Dreams,’ and it was my first taste of the college hustle and bustle. It helped me become an adult.”
Martin transferred to Luther College in Iowa, where he enjoyed two years of playing basketball at the NCAA Division III level. He then moved to Minneapolis and started what he thought would be his career. He liked his job as an IT recruiter and was seriously dating a woman when he decided to participate in an overseas professional basketball combine being held in Chicago.
“I wanted to give basketball one last run, even though I honestly didn’t think anything would come of it. I just wanted to tell myself that I gave it a shot,” he said.
What resulted was an offer to play professional basketball in Melbourne, Australia. If he signed, Martin only had a few days before boarding a plane and moving halfway around the world.
“After thinking about it, I knew I would regret not going. I still loved the game and it was my dream to play basketball at the pro level,” he said. “So I discussed it with my girlfriend, talked with my roommates about leaving a few months before the lease ended, and up and quit the job that I enjoyed.
“I can honestly say it has been the best decision of my entire life. I ended up losing my girlfriend because of the long distance but I am happy with what I do for a living and in love with the game. I work hard every day and am trying to climb as high as I can. I sit back and think sometimes how lucky I am that I get to play this game still and make money doing it.”
Martin currently plays with the Hume City Broncos, which also helps teach young children about basketball through Aussie Hoops and by visiting elementary and primary schools. This past year, between seasons in Australia, he played on a professional team in Hungary outside of Budapest.
During the off season, Martin returns to the Chicago area and visits with family and friends. He is especially thankful for all of their support.
“I moved around a lot as a kid and watched my mom struggle to make ends meet. Now she is in a major management role with an international transportation company,” he said. “My mother is my everything and I would not have achieved any of this without her. She taught me how to work hard and keep going even when it got tough. I also had two older brothers to learn from my whole life who pushed me to reach my goals. Luke and Alex are a major part of my success as a basketball player as well as my stepdad, Ollie.
“Last but not least, I always wanted to be like my dad and walk in his footsteps. I could say I am doing that but doing it in my own way. My dad went on to play for National American University in South Dakota and then professionally in Australia. He is my biggest fan and making him proud was my goal since I picked up a ball. They all express how proud they are of me, and for me that is the biggest accomplishment of all.”
Martin wants to play professional basketball for as long as he can and give it everything he has. After he retires from the game, he would like to open his own business.
As for COD, Martin is happy for the opportunities provided to him and advises others to take advantage of them.
“Put your head down and work your absolutely hardest right now,” he said. “If you kill it in the classroom, you can accomplish anything. Listen to your professors and experienced individuals who have done or are doing what you want to do. Find something you love and keep doing it, and find a way through everything to make it into a career.
“When you go the juco route for basketball, it’s tough for guys like me. You pretty much have 20 guys that could have all gone on D1 scholarships but didn’t get it done in the classroom, so all that athletic talent ends up at a community college. But being at COD helped show me challenges and paved the way toward my success moving forward, not only as a basketball player but as a student and a person.”