Martin Heads to Brazil with USA D-3 Women’s Basketball Team

Loras College women’s basketball sophomore Sami Martin (’24) will represent the Duhawks abroad as a member of the USA D-3 Women’s Basketball Team traveling to Brazil. Martin and the team, comprised of student-athletes from seven institutions, will take part in a nine-day trip featuring three games, hosting a youth basketball clinic, and touring the sights of Rio de Janeiro.

“I’m super excited to be able to enjoy two of my favorite hobbies–traveling and playing basketball—and I am thankful for the support of my coaches and teammates to make something like this possible,” said Martin. “I have never been to Brazil and I am looking forward to seeing a new country and exploring somewhere I have family ties! This atmosphere will be unlike any other I’ve experienced and the chance to play with different players from across the United States is going to not only help improve my game but give me a new perspective on it.”

Martin made an immediate impact as a transfer to the Duhawks’ squad from Division I Bradley University as a freshman in the 2020-21 season. The Platteville, Wis. native played in all 13 games of Loras’ COVID-19 shortened schedule, making ten starts, with a team-best 88 rebounds and 191 points. She posted three double-doubles on the season and had two 25-point games, helping her to American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) First Team All-Conference honors and becoming the program’s first D3hoops.com West All-Region Rookie of the Year.

The A-R-C is well-represented and recognized as one of the top-conferences in Division III with two members from Coe College and one player from Simpson College also on the roster. The team is coached by Bethan Lutheran College head coach Lyle Jones.

The tour begins on July 12 and the USA D-3 team will stay at the famous Copacabana Beach, tour the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain in addition to other famous historical sites. After playing the three-game schedule, the team will host the youth clinic with Basquete Cruzada, a social enhancement program that also engages support from the NBA. The team will return to the States on July 21.