Two Players, One Dream

As Cornelius Vines and Chris Martin’s careers go down different paths, both players hope the end result will be the same.

On Wednesday July 18^th, The Bless Ballers and Syracuse Elite took the court to square off as part of the King of Kings basketball league. At first glance, it looked simply like the defending champions (Syracuse Elite) fighting to keep pace in the standings against a serious contender (Bless Ballers). This game was so much more than that.

This was a match up between two men who take basketball as seriously as you can, Chris Martin and Cornelius Vines. It had the makings to be the perfect match up. Vines, a scoring machine, versus Martin, whose defense can be summed up perfectly by the emcee-given nickname: Bruce Bowen.

Vines was a solid player at Hofstra University. After tremendous careers at Henninger High School and Iowa Lakes Community College, Vines averages double digit points his junior year at Hofstra and was a key contributor both his junior and senior season. He was the leading scorer during the King of Kings 2011 league, finishing with 30.9 points a game.

Martin is also Syracuse raised. He played his high school ball at Corcoran High School, and played at Cayuga Community College, where he averaged over double digits in points. Martin is currently averaging 15 points and 6 rebounds a game for Syracuse Elite.

Vines has an offensive game that strikes fear into opponents. He can score off the dribble or from three. “I’m currently working with the GymRatz of Syracuse,” said Vines. This is a program helped run by Gilbert Speights and former Syracuse player Billy Edelin. “I also just signed with an agency, 610 sports and entertainment management.”

Martin, what he lacks in offensive flash, he makes up for in all aspects of the game. Martin can do it all: defend (as good as anyone in the King of Kings league) hit the open shot, drive, pass, rebound, pass, etc. The intensity he brings to each and every game is unparalleled. Martin picks out the opposing teams best offensive player, and tells his teammates “I’m lockin’ him down tonight.”

Here is where these two men’s careers diverge: at the King of Kings life development program in Utica, NY. Where do these players go from here? Where does their life take them at 23 (Vines) and 27 (Martin) years old respectively?

Both know exactly where they would like to go, and that is overseas. There is an enormous opportunity compared to the United States to play basketball professionally in Europe and Asia, and both Vines and Martin are looking to tap into the goldmine that is professional basketball.

“I’m just lookin’ to get my foot into the door,” said Vines. “I’m doing everything I can to stay ready and get better, so hopefully when I get that call, I will be ready. I’m in the gym five days a week, and I hit the weight room 3 days a week. All I need is to get my foot in the door.”

Likewise, Martin is staying ready and striving to get to that next level of ball overseas. “You know, after you hit thirty, teams aren’t going to take a chance on you,” Martin said with a smile on his face. “I’m keepin pace, playing with a high level of competition here [at King of Kings in Utica]". “I play in four leagues, and I am always workin’ on my game. I’m just waitin’ for that call.”

When asked if they had any country in particular they wanted to play in, both players smiled and said anywhere. Martin and Vines aren’t picky. Both know that the older the get, the less of a chance they have to get that call. Vines still has some time, but this is especially the case for Martin. That may be why he plays every game like it his last. If there is a scout in the crowd, they see the real Martin, the baller from ‘Cuse that will do anything his coach asks, and he will do it well.

On Wednesday night, Syracuse Elite came out on top against the Bless Ballers, a team led by Vines and Syracuse Universities Mookie Jones. The Bless Ballers led for most of the game, but Syracuse Elite eventually took the lead with two minutes remaining and ended up winning by 10. Martin was instrumental in this comeback, finishing with over 20 points and constantly rebounding and pushing his teammates to play better.

As Vines and Martin lead their teams into the second half of the season and into the playoffs, both will likely step up their game even more so they can hopefully be noticed by someone that can make their dream of playing overseas come true. All they need is a chance, and Vines and Martin could make a nice addition to a team in need of a pure scorer or a pure player overseas.