Illinois target Mason Martin elevates Neuqua

After establishing himself as a 3-point threat last season, Neuqua Valley junior guard Mason Martin expected defenders to start guarding him when he was more than 20 feet from the basket.

That’s exactly what happened, but the 6-foot-5 Martin was ready, having developed a lightning-quick release.

“I always tried to shoot quickly because they’re going to protect me a lot tighter,” he said. “It was a big priority to land the shot quickly and high so you could shoot at any time.”

Martin said he tries to take 300 shots every day.

“I know it’s just practice,” he said. “I know I go to the gym every day, and that gives me confidence that everyone is going to go.”

Of course, not all of Martin’s shots go into the basket, but that seems to be the case at times.

“He had some unbelievable games,” Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said.

The first was a 41-point performance in the Wildcats’ 88-60 win over West Aurora in the season opener. Martin also scored 34 points in three quarters as the Wildcats defeated Rockton Hononegah, which was 13-1 at the time, 76-45 in the Chuck Dayton Holiday Classic championship game in DeKalb on December 30.

While much of the attention has focused on sophomore forward Cole Kelly, considered one of the best players in the state, Martin is enjoying a breakout season. The Wildcats are reaping the rewards.

Martin entered Tuesday’s DuPage Valley Conference game against DeKalb averaging 19.9 points and 3.8 rebounds while making 95 percent of his free throws, 60 percent of his 2-pointers and 41 percent of his 3-pointers.

Martin continued his hot shooting, hitting 8 of 11 shots, including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc, en route to a game-high 22 points as the host Wildcats won 67-37 in Naperville.

After missing his first shot, Martin made four straight deep 3-pointers. The plays were eerily similar, with junior guards Danny Mikuta and Carter Coviello and senior forward Andrew Hoffmann sending short passes to Martin, who launched shots instantly and accurately.

Just call it flat and swish.

Kelly, author of 13 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats (15-1, 4-0), has fun playing with Martin. Both have an offer from Illinois.

“The ceiling for him is as high as it can be,” Kelly said. “Alongside him, he’s obviously the best shooter in Illinois, obviously one of the best shooters in the country in my opinion.

“But there’s so much room for him to improve. Like if he went to the rim and was more physical, that would only help him. Obviously in the Big Ten, you watch all these games, and it’s physical. It’s an intense game. For him, it’s just about continuing to work, but that’s what he does. He works really hard.”

Junior forward Lucas Balgro, who had 10 points and eight rebounds against the Barbs (5-8, 0-3), said Martin was more than a shooter.

“We really enjoy having him back,” Balgro said. “His shooting, everyone knows that. Another thing that benefits his game is he gets to the rim, and we usually put Mason on one of their best guys because he’s quick and he shuts them down. So getting him the ball and him being a two-way player helps us a lot.”

Sutton was pleased with the maturation of Martin, who was primarily a stand-up shooter, and a consistent one at that, last season.

“He has some work to do, but he has worked and improved in every aspect,” Sutton said. “He’s a much better defender this year. He handles the ball better.

“Last year he never drove to the hoops. Tonight he was going to the hoops all night. He can post now. He’s really improved.”

Just like the Wildcats, who have no seniors in their starting lineup.

“(The goal) is just to play the best we can as a team, win as many games as possible and work every day to get better physically and shooting as well,” Martin said.

Ah yes, the shooting. Martin’s long range shots fall like rain, as do some of his others.

“I’ve definitely become a lot more consistent, and that opens up the driving lane and mid-range as well,” he said. “Because if they all have to come out in threes, with a fake shot and a dribble, it’s a lot easier to open the game.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance journalist.