By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pair of Tennessee Tech men's basketball alums were selected during the 2019 NBA G League Draft Saturday, the second straight year at least one former Golden Eagle has been chosen to further their careers in the NBA G League.
Drafted with the 16th pick of the second round by the Erie BayHawks was forward Ryan Martin, a member of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Golden Eagles. Martin spent the past three years playing professionally overseas for a number of teams.
Originally a transfer from South Plains College, Martin sat out the 2014-15 season after being granted just one year of eligibility by the NCAA. He made that first and only campaign in 2015-16 count, helping guide the Golden Eagles to a 19-12 regular season record and 11-5 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The London, England native averaged 14.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a senior, playing in all 31 games while making 30 starts.
Located in Erie, Pa., the BayHawks are the G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans. Erie kicks off its 2019-20 season on Friday, Nov. 8 against the College Park Skyhawks, the G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks.
Also selected in the second round with the 25th pick by the Oklahoma City Blue was recent Tech alum and four-year member of the Golden Eagles, forward Courtney Alexander II. A member of the purple and gold from 2015-2019, Alexander played in 120 games while making 71 starts. He scored 570 points while hauling in 698 rebounds, including more than 250 in each of the past two seasons.
The G League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Blue are scheduled to begin the 2019-20 season with a road trip to El Segundo, Calif. to take on the South Bay Lakers, the affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Tennessee Tech squad will open its 2019-20 campaign Nov. 5 with a trip to Western Kentucky for a 7:00 p.m. tilt. The Golden Eagles will first host Bryan College in a Tuesday, Oct. 29 exhibition affair at 8:00 p.m. as part of Purple Palooza.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or log on to TTUSports.com to order yours today.
Photos by Tony Marable
