Martin Says He Will Play for Trojans : Basketball: Former Cleveland standout now at Washington High commits to USC.

Former Cleveland High basketball standout Brandon Martin dropped by his old school Wednesday to let a few of his ex-teachers know that he had decided which college to attend next year.

Martin, who currently attends Washington High, also ran into a few of his old classmates. Some thought he actually might be transferring back to Cleveland to play.

“A couple of them mentioned that,” Martin said.

But the only school on Martin’s mind was USC, which won a recruiting battle over Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma, among others.

Martin, who last season was considered by many to be the best player in the Valley region, said he called USC Coach George Raveling on Wednesday morning and made an oral commitment. The first day players can sign letters of intent is Nov. 14.

Martin (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) averaged 25 points a game as a junior last season at Cleveland, tops among area City Section players, and earned All-City 4-A Division and Times All-Valley honors. He left Cleveland in the spring after a series of disagreements with first-year Coach Kevin Crider.

As a sophomore, Martin averaged 13.6 points. He is expected to play point guard and off-guard for the Trojans, who use a three-guard offense.

“I was looking for the best situation possible,” said Martin, who has a grade-point average of 3.20 and already has satisfied the academic requirements of Proposition 48.

“With SC, I didn’t need to go away to get what I needed. I had the good education and exposure right here.”

USC finished 19-10 overall and tied for third at 10-8 in Pacific 10 Conference play. The Trojans advanced to the NCAA tournament but lost to Florida State in the first round.

Martin said his desire to play before family and friends weighed heavily in the decision.

“I’m real close to my family,” he said. “I wanted them to be able to come to my games and to be involved with my progress as a player.”