NBA Standout at Local Elementary School to Read to Students.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The chances of making it to the National Basketball Association are less than one-tenth of a percent. That’s why NBA players like Kevin Martin says it’s so important for young students to understand the importance of reading.

“If you look at anything you have to do in life whether that’s playing basketball, playing any other type of sport, or more realistic being a teacher, being a lawyer, or being a doctor you have to be able to read, and have an education,” said Martin. It’s like I tell the kids the only thing you’re going to be able to do without an education or being able to read, is get in trouble.”

Martin, who just finished his 12th season in the NBA playing for both the Timberwolves and Spurs, was at John McIntire Elementary School today to read to kindergartens. Martin played at Zanesville High School before playing three years collegiately at Western Carolina University. He was drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2004.

The former Blue Devil and his wife Jill read “The Way I Feel,” a children’s book written by Janan Cain. And while some of the kindergartens mistook the Zanesville native for Michael Jordan, Martin says that it is nice to give back to a community that has given so much to him.

“One thing throughout my journey that has been special to me outside of basketball, has been this community of Zanesville. It’s something I don’t take for granted because all players don’t get the love that I get from my hometown so I like to give back in whatever way I can,” said Martin.

Martin said that he hopes to make visits to local schools a regular occurrence during the off-season.