One of my favorite sleeper prospects in this class, Braxton is a bouncy wing who is long and athletic. Martin plays well above the rim and is a capable shooter at just under 35% from three for the season. It remains to be seen where Braxton plays his college basketball but I think he could be a steal.

My first time seeing Martin with his high school team, I left a big fan of his game. Very skilled on the ball for his size, Martin can dribble, pass and shoot on the perimeter. Once Martin adds some weight to his frame, he will be a big-time college player because the offensive ability at his size is rare to find. Disappointing loss for Nicholas County as Martin battled foul trouble all night and could’ve had a greater impact on the game if he was able to stay on the court for longer stretches.

Braxton Martin Braxton Martin 6'6" | SF Nicholas County | 2026 State KY led his team in scoring in two wins this week and turned in four standout performances overall. He scored 26 points against Bourbon County, followed by 29 points and 10 rebounds versus Mason County to secure Nicholas County’s first win over Mason since 1999. Martin added 12 points against Augusta and 17 against Lexington Christian. Over that stretch, he shot 59 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and 73 percent from the free throw line.

At 6’7, Braxton Martin Braxton Martin 6'6" | SF Nicholas County | 2026 State KY brings an intriguing mix of size, bounce, and versatility. He’s a quick leaper, giving him an edge around the rim both as a finisher and rebounder. His explosiveness stands out, as he consistently plays above the rim and makes difficult plays look routine. Martin has shown he can shoot and handle when needed. Already recognized with All-10th Region Second Team and All-38th District Tournament honors, Martin’s production backs up the eye test. With an offer from KCU on the table and plenty of long-term upside, he projects as one of the region’s most dynamic and promising players.

Braxton is the best overall athlete on this list as he’s a quick leaper who can finish above the rim. He’s a solid shooter at 33% from three and 44% overall. Martin needs to add bulk to his wiry frame but he’s got a chance to be a scholarship level player thanks to his impressive athleticism and great positional size at 6’7.

My favorite sleeper prospect in this class, Martin is an explosive athlete with quick twitch and second jumping that I’ve never seen from anyone in Nicholas County. Braxton is a capable shooter and solid handler. With his ability to play above the rim, some coaches are going to like what they see out of Martin this summer.

One of the biggest movers I can ever remember, Martin climbs 140 spots from 177th to 37th and his ceiling is closer to the 15-20 range than 40th. Braxton has big time athleticism and a lightning quick second jump that allows him to be one of the more bouncy kids in the 10th region and the 2026 class as a whole. If he can start being more active on both ends, he can be a D2/NAIA or better prospect.

Martin is very bouncy and has shown he can score the ball with the best of them. The question is if he will buy into the defensive and rebounding aspects of the game. With his height and athleticism, Braxton should be averaging 8+ rebounds per game, minimum. If he can do that and continue improving his offensive game, Nicholas County should win the district. Braxton has a ton of long term potential.

Of all the players who caught my eye on Saturday, Braxton may have been the most explosive. With a long and wiry frame, I didn’t expect Martin to be dunking everything and elevating like he did. Braxton also showed a pretty good jump shot. He’s clearly going to need to bulk up and could help his game with a midrange game but Braxton has scholarship level potential for sure.