Stacey Martin is an American basketball player chasing the overseas dream of being a professional player. He was all conference in high school, but instead of playing college ball opted to go to the military. There he was a aircraft director. He then started a marketing company in San Diego and then worked for a financial firm. Basketball never left his mind and wants to prove to himself that he has what it takes to play pro ball. He is taking part at the Howard Hoops Pro Combine in Milan Italy.

Thanks Stacey for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

I’m currently in Las Vegas. Basketball life is cool, I’m currently doing a lot of training and working out on my own with a little bit of help from trainers in the city. I’m enjoying it.

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Pro Combine in Italy. How excited are you to come overseas and show your skills?

Man I’m pretty excited but also nervous, this is will be my first time playing at this level. But I’m up for the challenge. I like to test myself and see what limits I can push so I’m all for it!

How did you find the contact to Ronald Howard (181-PG-1984, college: Mayville St.)? Was it more through guys you know of finding information online?

I actually had a bad experience with a nagent out here and after that I was looking for my way to have a chance at playing overseas and while I was working out. I actually ran into Ronald Howards nephew. He gave me Rons info and the rest is history

How thankful are you of having found Ronald Howard? He has been helping guys get jobs overseas for a decade.

I’m pretty thankful because for a minute there I was lost and really had no idea what to do, there’s a lot of guys out here who claim to be agents or claim to be able to help you but really they are just looking for a quick payday

What have you appreciated most about him? He is a guy that lives and breathes basketball and wants to give the underdog a shot.

Well I haven’t met Ron in person yet but we’ve spoke on the phone and done some zoom calls. He seems really genuine and that’s something that’s hard to find nowadays so I’m really appreciative and think I will be even more after the combine.

You have a unique story in that you never played college basketball or have pro experience. The odds for you to come overseas are very slim. How do you deal with that mentally?

Yeah it’s a mental battle knowing people have years of experience I don’t have but if one person has done it, it means it’s possible and there have been others to do it. I really just like the game of basketball and want to get better and also prove to myself that I’m good enough to be a pro. Everything in life is a mental battle. It all comes down to who is mentally strong enough to last through tough times and situations.

What kind of feedback have you gotten from family and friends? Do they support you 100%

I have gotten good feedback, they are supporting me and it feels good knowing you have people in your corner

The odds are very slim for a guy like you at age 31 to come overseas. What has kept you going on and on over the years?

This is a challenge I put up for myself at the beginning of the year, I never thought about this before. And I also don’t believe in age, I believe if I take care of myself then my body will respond the way I want it to

You began to play very late at age 16. What was the deciding moment that hooked you on basketball?

My mother wouldn’t let me play sports. I moved to live with my father at 15 and he told me I needed to go out for the high school sports. Growing up we always had a hoop outside in my driveway so I would always shoot around out there, so naturally I already knew a little about basketball.

Why did you choose to go to the military and not play JUCO? Do you sometimes wonder how your life would be today without the military?

The military was actually the best decision I ever made because it got me out my hometown and put me on my own to grow up and be a man. I had a couple friends who went to the juco and they asked me to come play but I was very serious about leaving my hometown.

What did you learn about yourself in the military? How did you grow as a man?

I learned that there’s more to the world than just my little hometown. And also I learned I could be alone without family around and be ok. It definitely shaped me into the man I am today, waking up early, cleanliness, and manners I feel are some of the things I learned that will always stick with me

You had a regular job in the finance area. Talk a little about how life has been off the court without basketball?

My life without basketball was great, the only downside was I was spending a lot of time on my laptop and that was the only part I didn’t like but I’m always the in the gym regardless and I’m always focused on something with a goal in mind. Now this is my new challenge to conquer.

Let s talk a big about your game. If you had to describe your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

The most recent comparison I’ve gotten is Jalen Brunson. I like that.

Talk a bit about your strengths on the court. What kind of an offensive player are you?

I like to work around the mid range. That’s where I’m most comfortable. Defense is my favorite because there’s nothing like getting a turnover.

What is a hidden strength in your game that isn t noticed right away on the court?

I think mentally I’m always locked in and mental is something nobody can see so it might take a little to notice but once you notice it, you know it

On what area s of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to grow as a player?

Ball handling and shooting. Playing basketball in high school they had me playing 4 and 5 but now my size is 1 and maybe 2 so I’m learning a whole new skill set right now but like I said, I’m up for the challenge

Who was the toughest player you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

I once played against Norman Powell yeah he cooked me lol

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

PG Evan, SG John, SF Austin, PF Allie
C Trey
Sorry I don’t know their last names haha

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Steph respectively

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron. I was to young to watch Jordan, and even though I love Kobe, Lebron has been doing it at such a high level for so long he deserves all the credit I think

Did you see the sequel of the classic Coming To America? Shouldn t they have left it alone?

I actually didn’t watch it lol but it makes sense why I didn’t now haha

Thanks Stacey for the chat.

Tags : RONALD HOWARD, EVL BASKETS LIMBURG, GERMAN BASKETBALL