FAIRBANKS, AK - The University of Alaska Fairbanks men's basketball head coach
Frank Ostanik announced that 6-foot-5 power forward
Martez Christian (Las Vegas, NV/Desert Pines HS) has signed a national letter of intent and will enroll at UAF in the fall as a freshman with four years of eligibility.
"We believe Martez will be a very good player for us. He is going to need time to physically mature, but his potential is limitless," said Ostanik. "More than his ability, we were impressed by his demeanor and personality. He comes from a tremendous family and personifies the character and toughness we look for in a young man."
As a junior at Desert Pines HS, Christian averaged 9.3 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per contest and received Northeast Division honorable mention. This past summer, he was named Best of the Best as one of the top 20 players at the Double Pump West Coast All Star Camp and was named an all star at the Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp. This season he was named to the "city's player to watch" list in Las Vegas.
"He is really athletic, can face the basket and rebound and has all the potential to get better," said UAF assistant coach
Rich Mendoza.
Christian only began his basketball career as a freshman in high school and his coach, DeShawn Henry could not be happier for his star athlete. "I think it's a great fit. UAF has a good program and coaches where he will grow as a player and a person. He's very athletic and once he gets it all together, his possibilities are endless," said Henry.
"The signing of
Martez Christian is another example of the job coach Mendoza has done as an assistant. To attract a high school player from a place like (Las) Vegas to Fairbanks is a testament to coach Mendoza, as well as the program we have built at UAF over the last 10 years," said Ostanik.
Christian is the first member of the men's basketball 2006-06 recruiting class.
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