To watch him play today, you’ll have to go to Chihuahua in Northern Mexico, but Jaron Martin ’13 began his basketball career at Chaminade. As a senior, he averaged 21.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, earning him All-CIF 3A Team and All-Mission League Honors. As team captain, he led Chaminade to CIF and State Runner-up, and he’s currently ranked #3 for career-scoring at Chaminade.
After graduation, Jaron went on to study at UC Irvine, where he was a four-year player from 2013-2017. At 5 feet 11 inches, he did not immediately get an athletic scholarship, but he was determined to play at a Division 1 school. He went to Irvine as a recruited walk-on and earned a scholarship for his remaining three years there. In his senior year, he was named to the All-Big West First Team and was invited to play in the Men’s All-Big West Conference Tournament. He was second in the Big West League for three- three-point field goals.
Since graduating from UC-Irvine, he has played internationally in Central Mexico, Spain, France, Estonia and Bosnia teams. He is now playing for Panteras, Mexico. He recently led his team to the title of LBE Champions of Chihuahua State League of Mexico. Jaron also earned the title of “Jugador Mas Valioso”, Most Valuable Player.
While most professional basketball players usually retire after a couple of years of playing abroad, at age 29 he’s not quite ready to give up playing. He’s now content to go with how life is unfolding for him. But once he decides to retire, he can see himself staying within the field of basketball, perhaps eventually heading up a sports talent agency.