URI Star Guard Tyrese Martin to Transfer, Second Transfer In Past Week

URI Star Guard Tyrese Martin to Transfer, Second Transfer In Past Week

For the second time in less than a week, the URI basketball program is losing a player to transfer.

This time, it is sophomore guard Tyrese Martin, who announced on Wednesday that he will be entering the transfer portal after two seasons.

“To the University of Rhode Island, I want to thank all of the Rhody fans for all the love and support. I also want to thank the coaching staff for treating me like one of their own and believing in me. But after multiple long conversations with the people in my corner, I have decided to transfer from the school,” said Martin in a statement on Twitter.

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Martin is the 10th player over the last two seasons to leave the URI basketball program.

He is the fourth player that URI has lost to transfer just this season.

Last Friday, forward Mekhi Long announced that he was leaving the program after just one season.

“My decision has nothing to do with the team or coach Cox, that’s family and Cox is as great of a coach and father as they come. I’m just doing what I feel is best for me,” added Martin.

According to the college basketball prospect site Stockrisers, Martin has already heard from Seton Hall, Creighton, Marquette, Arizona State, Louisville among others.

Martin at URI

In two seasons at Rhode Island, Martin played 63 games and averaged 10.3 points, six rebounds and one assist per game.

Martin shot 43% from the field and 32% from behind the three-point line.

During the 2019-20 season, Martin averaged 12.8 points and seven rebounds for the Rams, while starting all 30 games.

URI in 2020-2021

URI finished 21-9 overall and 13-5 in the A-10 this past season, good enough for third in the conference.

Fatts Russell and Jermaine Harris are the only two starters who are set to return to URI next season.

Rhode Island only returns a total of four players who played in a game this past season, Russell, Harris, Antwan Walker, and Jacob Toppin.

Rhode Island has two recruits incoming in guards Ishmael Leggett and Elijah Wood.