UPDATE: 7-Footer Melian Martinez, from Louisiana Tech, will NOT visit NC State on Thursday

UPDATE: After confirming with a source, Martinez will not be visiting on Thursday.

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According to his agent, NC State could be hosting 7-foot, 230lb center Melian Martinez on Thursday.

VISIT NEWS: Louisiana Tech transfer Melian Martinez is visiting NC State on Thursday, his agent Lenny Minaya of @Fdmathletics_ told @LeagueRDY.

The 7-foot big man out of the Dominican Republic averaged 4.2PPG, 2.9RPG and 1.7BPG this season. Shot nearly 75% from the floor. pic.twitter.com/3cRtD1IxGN

— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) May 12, 2026

The redshirt junior from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has quickly established himself as one of Conference USA’s top interior defenders, averaging 1.7 blocks per game (putting him in the Top-50 in all of college basketball).

Martinez played sparingly at St. Bonaventure before transferring to New Mexico Junior College for the 2024-25 season, where he contributed to a 23-win campaign despite a few injuries. He signed with Louisiana Tech in April 2025 and immediately made an impact in the paint.

In his first season with the Bulldogs, Martinez appeared in 30 games with 19 starts. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and a team-leading 1.7 blocks per game. His offensive efficiency was elite despite limited touches, shooting 74.4% from the field. That stateline led to some pretty impressive advanced metrics, which is likely what NC State is targeting.

Martinez had an offensive efficiency rating of 117 (which is good). But he wasn’t a high-touch big man, and that’s exactly what NC State is looking for. With all the shooting NC State has, they need bigs how don’t demand the basketball, and Martinez doesn’t demand it at all. 

That stats to focus on here, Martinez 3.7 Defensive Box +/-. That would have been THE BEST on last year’s team (of those who had qualifying minutes). He also 15.8 block % which would also have been tops on last year’s team (by 10%!)

Standout moments included a 13-point, 7-block performance against Jacksonville State (tying for the 7th-most blocks in program history) and consistent rim protection with multiple blocks in 14 games. His efforts earned him C-USA All-Defensive Team honors as Louisiana Tech advanced to the conference tournament final.

A high-motor big with exceptional length and timing, Martinez remains a work in progress offensively but has proven himself as a difference-making defender. As he enters his final year of eligibility, the Dominican center could be a key backup piece for NC State, who is looking for this exact role.

However, this is unconfirmed on the NC State side at this point.