Twin City: A Closer Look at What Make Cody and Caleb Tick

What makes the Martin Twins so special? Why do they go so hard? How did the Pack secure their commitment before any other school?

I was fortunate enough to have a front row seat to the recruitment of the Martin Twins while I was the  Head Manager under Coach Gottfried and his Staff. The first place I saw the Martin Twins was at our summer team camp as they represented Davie County to compete in the 4 day tournament put on by NC State. This was the summer before their junior year at Davie County. In this tournament you could tell that these two kids were special. What set them apart was the fact that all the Coaches were watching them and they knew it, but they still made the right basketball play whether it was an unselfish pass or their own number.

As I watched countless teams play that week a couple of things were apparent; for example anytime Gottfried or an Assistant Coach stopped by the player with the ball was trying to show off. Teamwork was the last thing on player’s mind and the product on the court supported this fact. We all joked among each other that the cumulative shooting percentage in team camp is well below 30 percent. Yet this was another testament as to why the Martins were special they elevated their team and were among the best of the best at camp. I don’t know if any of you have been to Davie County but there isn’t much there; however, they consistently beat larger schools at our camp.

Gottfried and his Assistants were persistent in letting Cody and Caleb know that they loved the way they played (and offered both scholarships). Each coach made a commitment to ensure that they knew what NC State offered them. Not long after that camp both Cody and Caleb pledged their allegiance to the Pack. After they committed our staff still blazed the trail to Davie County to reassure them that they had made the correct choice. I was lucky enough to tag along with Coach G to see the Twins play after one of our practices. As we traveled he told me I was in for a treat as Davie County had one of the best student sections of any high school he had been to. As we arrived we were greeted by fans and spoke to Cody and Caleb’s parents. Both of which were extremely nice and personable. They are the reason why Cody and Caleb play so hard. You could tell that their parents were keenly aware and knew what was best for their sons.

As the game started it was clear that the other team stood no chance. Cody and Caleb used their outstanding physical gifts to over-match whoever was tasked with trying to stop them. On more than one occasion Coach G would hit me on the leg and say, “We got ourselves some good ones here” in his southern twang. After the game concluded he spoke with the Twins and told them to keep working hard. As we headed back to Raleigh I could tell that Gottfried couldn’t wait to get these two kids on campus.

Fast forward to now and everyone can see why Cody and Caleb will be key contributors for the Red and White for years to come. Each have a great work ethic on the court which will help them grow as players. Look for both of them to cash in on the early playing time and use that to be even better a season from now. Another aspect that I admire in the Twins is their unrelenting confidence. Both play the game with an edge and swagger that demands attention. As you watch the two of them play you can tell that they love to beat whoever is guarding them or whoever they are defending. It isn’t enough for them to just win, but they want to embarrass their opponents. This attitude will be contagious as they grow into leadership roles that will come with experience.

In the off-season it will be vital that both Cody and Caleb push to improve their craft. Each have weaknesses that need to be cleaned up if they are to continue their accension. Cody needs to work of his shooting so he can make his defenders pay for stepping off of him. As he improves his outside shot he will be even more efficient inside as he will be able to get by his defender more easily. Caleb needs to gain more strength in his lower half so he can finish in traffic at a higher rate. Too often he has been knocked off balance and unable to finish underneath. This will undoubtedly improve as he will have a full off-season to improve in the weight room.

This season I would love to see both of them be more aggressive offensively. Athletically there are few if any in the ACC as gifted as these two, but I feel like they do not hunt the paint enough. Both Cody and Caleb should be able to get a furious dunk each game. Also a nice mix up would be to allow Cody or Caleb initiate the offense. They would benefit off of the high screen UCLA cut that has been nonexistent thus far. With their height they would be tough to cover in that action.

I am ecstatic that we all have the opportunity to watch these two grow. The sky is the limit for these two and I know that they will do everything they can to maximize the gifts they have been given. As they progress I am confident that others on this team will take notice and step up to the challenge. NC State could reach greater heights in the years to come with these two in the program. What do you think is the next step the Martin Twins need to take? What role would you like for them to fill?