Badminton How To Play

As I was scrolling through the latest Balitang Sports updates this morning, one name kept popping up in the Tagalog basketball circles—Kascius Small-Martin. Now, I've been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade, and what struck me about this kid wasn't just his impressive pre-draft workout numbers, but his refreshingly grounded attitude. During his recent session with Titan Group Management, he put up some solid stats: 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in simulated scrimmages. But what really caught my attention was his interview with Spin.ph where he acknowledged, "I know my name is not as known here and I don't mind. I want to make a name for myself and this is just the start. So be ready for Kascius Small-Martin." That kind of self-awareness is rare among incoming prospects, and honestly, it's what makes him someone to watch closely in the upcoming PBA draft.

The Titan Group Management pre-draft workouts have always been a reliable indicator of future performance, and having attended several of these sessions myself, I can tell you that the intensity level is comparable to actual game situations. Small-Martin's performance wasn't just about the numbers—it was his decision-making under pressure that stood out. He demonstrated a 64% field goal accuracy during the full-court drills, which is remarkable for someone who's still adjusting to the Philippine style of play. From my perspective, his versatility could address the shooting guard position crisis that has plagued several PBA teams this season. Teams like Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang Giga, who've been struggling with inconsistent backcourt production, should seriously consider drafting him. I've seen dozens of international players try to adapt to our local basketball culture, but few have shown this level of cultural intelligence combined with raw talent.

What fascinates me about Small-Martin's approach is how he's embracing the underdog narrative rather than fighting against it. Most imports come in with massive egos and predetermined expectations, but here's a player who's willingly starting from scratch. During the defensive drills, he maintained a steal average of 2.3 per quarter—not mind-blowing statistics, but when you combine it with his court vision and passing accuracy of approximately 78%, you begin to see a complete player in the making. I remember watching similar pre-draft performances from players like Stanley Pringle back in 2014, and look how that turned out for the league. The difference here is Small-Martin's explicit acknowledgment that he's here to build his reputation gradually rather than demanding immediate superstar treatment.

The timing of his emergence couldn't be better for Philippine basketball. With the PBA planning to expand its international roster slots from two to three per team next season, according to my sources close to the commissioner's office, players like Small-Martin represent the new wave of global talent that could elevate the league's competitiveness. His workout session showed particular strength in transition plays where he scored 12 fast break points in just 15 minutes of scrimmage time. While some scouts might argue he needs to work on his three-point consistency—he shot 32% from beyond the arc during the drills—I believe his mid-range game and defensive adaptability more than compensate for that. Having analyzed hundreds of player transitions into the PBA, I'd rate his potential adjustment period at roughly 8-10 games before he becomes a consistent contributor.

As we look toward the upcoming season, I'm putting Small-Martin on my personal watchlist of players who could genuinely shift team dynamics. His combination of humility and competitive fire reminds me of why I fell in love with covering Philippine basketball in the first place—it's not always about the biggest names, but about those willing to grow with the league. The Titan Management Group has uncovered several gems before, and based on what I witnessed in his workout footage and his thoughtful post-session comments, Small-Martin might just be their next success story. Mark my words—we'll be seeing plenty of highlight reels featuring this young man by the second round of the conference.