We Are United Prep - Jake Martin

The Basketball Movement recently caught up with We Are United’s man in the middle, Jake Martin.

A seven-foot-one center, Jake Martin is a commanding presence for Robert Yanders’ We Are United Prep. Or at least, that is the goal. The words “seven-footer” are magic in the hoops world. Coach and recruiter ears perk up, opponents double-take, and the word big comes with the territory.

For Jake Martin, size is just one piece of the puzzle as he takes things one step at a time.

A product of the Phenom U AAU club, Martin hails from White Water, Wisconsin (about an hour out of either Milwaukee or Madison). His coach, Jose Winston, is a friend of Yanders going back to high school.

Last year, Martin attended The Basketball Movement Invitational, so he was already familiar with the facility and atmosphere. Once Winston mentioned Rob’s new prep school, Jake gave it a shot.

“I came down and liked it,” Martin says of his visit to We Are United. “Next thing I knew, I was moving down last month.”

Having seen Yanders in action during The Invitational last year was likely helpful in bracing Martin for the intensity of We Are United. “It is tough,” Martin says. “There are definitely times where I am feeling weak and want to quit. But at the same time, I know it is for the best in the long run. I know Rob wants the best for me.”

Currently, Martin says that his focus is on improving in the paint. “I am working on being strong and aggressive,” Martin says. “I want to dominate the post.”

As for the team dynamic, Martin says that things are coming together. “We have 12 new people that have not played together,” Martin says. “We are figuring out roles and finally figuring out each other’s strong suits. By our first game, we will be a pretty good team.”

Asked to describe the atmosphere at We Are United prep, Martin gives a slight shrug. “Not to sound cheesy, but united,” Martin says. “We are all here for the same goal. We are standing up for each other and pushing each other. Making each other the best athletes and also the best humans we can be.”

Stay tuned as We Are United’s inaugural season draws closer!