Twin Transfers: Return of Martins Makes Nevada Final Four Prospect in 2019

June 1st, 2018 - 18:37

Nevada became an authentic Final Four contender when twins Caleb and Cody Martin chose to return to the Wolfpack instead of turning pro. The Martins propelled Nevada to a national ranking last season by combining for more than 33 ppg after transferring from North Carolina State. Caleb became Mountain West Conference player and newcomer of the year while Cody was named league defensive player of the year before making colossal contributions in Nevada setting an NCAA playoff-record comeback (erasing 22-point second-half deficit against Cincinnati).

The award-winning Martins not only aren't the only set of former NCSU brothers to play together for two different DI universities, but they wouldn't be the first duo to go on and participate in the Final Four with another university. Brian and Steve Walker were in the regular rotation for Purdue's 1980 national third-place team. Following is an alphabetical list of other twins in this two-school category:

  • Joey and Stevie Graham combined for 25.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg as sophomores with Central Florida in 2001-02 before transferring to Oklahoma State. They collaborated for 15.2 ppg and 6.6 rpg in 2003-04 and 24.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 2004-05 for two OSU NCAA playoff teams.
  • Jarvis and Jonas Hayes combined for 25.1 ppg as freshmen with Western Carolina in 1999-00. They transferred to Georgia after Jarvis led the Southern Conference in scoring with 17.1 ppg. With the Bulldogs, the twins teamed for 25.8 ppg and 10.3 rpg in 2001-02 and 25 ppg and 8.8 rpg in 2002-03.
  • South Alabama's Jason and Russell McCutcheon combined for 18 ppg and 8.2 rpg in 1994-95 and 21.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg in 1995-96. After transferring to Nicholls State, they combined for 31 ppg and 9.3 rpg for the Southland Conference champion in 1997-98.
  • Brian (guard) and Steve (forward) Walker combined for 10 ppg with North Carolina State in 1976-77 (17-11 record) before both of them transferred to Purdue, where they teamed for 7.3 ppg in 1978-79 (27-8 record) and 5.8 ppg in 1979-80 (23-10 mark). Brian led the Big Ten Conference in assists in conference competition in 1980-81 (6.7 apg).
  • David and Travis Wear combined for 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg as freshmen for North Carolina in 2009-10 before transferring to UCLA, where they collaborated for 18 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 2012-13 and 13.8 ppg and 7 rpg in 2013-14.
  • Sean and Shawn Wightman played together with Western Michigan for three years (1990-91 through 1992-93) after transferring from Illinois State. They combined for 17.9 ppg as juniors. Sean was the nation's top three-point marksman as a junior and led the Mid-American Conference in free-throw shooting as a senior.