Twins Caleb and Cody Martin transferring from NC State
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The exodus atNC Statecontinued Thursday as twinsCaleband Cody Martinannounced that they will transfer andAbdul-Malik Abuwill forego his final two seasons to enter the NBA draft.
Coach Mark Gottfried announced the Martin twins' decision on Thursday following what he said was "a series of honest, thoughtful and somewhat surprising conversations" they've had since the season ended.
The brothers, who play both guard and forward, ranked fourth and fifth on the team in scoring, with Caleb averaging 11.5 points and Cody scoring 6.0 points per game. They combined to start 35 games as sophomores this season.
Caleb thanked North Carolina State for the opportunity but said "we think it is best for us to move on."
The announcement came on the same day that it was learned that Abu, who averaged 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds as a sophomore, will declare for the NBA draft but will not sign with an agent, a source told ESPN's Jeff Goodman.
Anthony Barberon Tuesday said he would skip his final season to pursue anNBA career. Barber led the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 23.5-point average.
Barber's decision was expected. The Martin twins' choice was a surprise.
Gottfried said he and the Martins had discussions in the two weeks since the season ended with a second-round loss to Duke in the ACC tournament.
"While I don't share all of their views, I have certainly come to understand and respect the unique dynamic and special bond that exists between identical twins, especially when they play the same sport for the same team," Gottfried said. "I enjoyed coaching them over the past two years."
NC State will add Charlotte transfer Torin Dorn Jr. -- the Conference USA freshman of the year in 2015 -- and five-star point guard recruit Dennis Smith Jr., who enrolled in January while rehabbing a knee injury.
The Wolfpack also have guard Terry Henderson, a transfer from West Virginia who injured an ankle during the opener and missed the rest of the 2015-16 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
