Javier Jucht / @Jejucht
Speaking of Jack Martínez is to remember that golden age of Cocodrilos de Caracas that began in 2008 when they became champions against Gaiteros del Zulia, in a final that meant the first title of Néstor “Mamaosa” Salazar as technical director, and Rostin González as general manager of the 905 level team. That team had among its ranks, in addition to the Dominican, historical figures such as Victor David Díaz, Jesús “El Zancudo” Centeno and Luis Bethelmy, among other names.
In the titles obtained by the capital team in 2008 and 2010, Jack was the most decisive player for Crocodiles, being named in both as the most valuable player in those finals. “I always preferred to play here in Venezuela despite having offers in Italy, France and Spain” expressed Martínez during his visit to Diario Meridiano.
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Currently, the Quisqueyan basketball player has not played professionally for four years, but he assures that for 3 months he has been training again to close his professional career in Venezuela with a flourish. “I was watching the boys during the Super League, and I decided that I couldn’t sit still. I know I have something left to give on the courts. At least one more year of quality ”said Martínez who also stated that Venezuela is his second home, and that he is constantly coming to have business in the country.
Close to nationalization. The love and affection that Jack Martínez has generated with our country led him to make the decision to opt for Venezuelan nationality. “I am in the process of nationalizing myself because it is also a requirement to be able to participate in the Super League.” Martínez affirmed that he has several offers to play in the country, but the most serious one comes from Guaros de Lara and his manager Jorge Hernández. “It is my favorite offer, we have had several meetings.” Today the twilight team is still working with the Venezuelan Basketball Federation to be part of the Super League, but everything indicates that in a matter of days their participation in the tournament will be made official. Jack Martínez and Jorge Hernández have known each other for several years. This has served for the Dominican to be taken into account in sports decisions for the coming season.
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Jack publicly thanked various Venezuelan officials for allowing him to train in recent months at various sports facilities in Caracas. “They have helped me a lot with my preparation for my return to professional basketball. I also thank the people of Housegrill and its owner, my friend Alan” he concluded.
Martínez affirms that he made the decision to play again in Venezuela, in November of last year, while he was in the Dominican Republic. “I started running because I was also putting on weight. I came to weigh more than 135 kilos ”confessed Jack, who also expressed that he feels time much slower after recovering his physical condition and can’t wait to play again.
His plans for his future are quite clear: “I want an honorable retirement here in Venezuela. Achieve something that I couldn’t in the Dominican due to a blockade that I was a victim of by the teams there, which, thank God, has gradually been solved” confessed the Quisqueyan. After his retirement, he wants to continue being linked to basketball and he proposed to Hernández (Jorge) to continue being part of the Larense team as team coach. “The coach who comes with Guaros this season, which is possibly Mamaosa (Néstor Salazar), has to know that I want that position in the coming years.”
Figures: 11 seasons the Dominican played in Venezuela.
4 were the teams where Jack played in the country. Panthers, Crocodiles, Globetrotters and Guaros.
4801 points scored in his career in Venezuela.
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