Zakiyyah Shahid- Martin “Z” signed a national letter of intent with St. Johns University of the Big East. Z Martin, a 6’2” forward from DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, KY was the lone senior on the team that finished ranked #2 in Kentucky. Z is the #3 ranked senior prospect in Kentucky according to ESPN HoopGurlz  (4/22/10). Z was a McDonalds All American Game Nominee.

 Evaluation from ESPN HoopGurlz:

“Zakiyah Martin might be the forward that a college coach would order off a menu. The 6-2 Manual standout is long, lean and athletic. She's very fluid in her movement and has impressive speed and quickness. Her game around the rim is solid and she has the ability to put it on the floor some. She's active at both ends of the court and a wide wingspan makes her particularly imposing on defense. What really catches your eye is the effort and intensity that she plays with and the interaction with her teammates. She's only going to get better and better.”

St. Johns just completed one of the most successful in history for the Red Storm as it finished the year ranked in both Top 25 Polls for the first time in program history. The Red Storm ranked No. 18 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 15 in the final AP Poll. The team finished the year with a 25-7 record, earning the most wins since 28 in 1982-83. St. John's posted a 12-4 slate in BIG EAST action, finishing tied for fourth in the league while tying the program mark in BIG EAST wins.

The Red Storm made its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, eventually advancing to the second round with a 65-47 win over Princeton. St. John's came close to making its first appearance in the Sweet 16, dropping a 66-65 overtime decision to then-No. 11 FSU in second-round action.

STJ posted its biggest win in program history this past season, defeating then-No. 4/3 Notre Dame on Feb. 16, 76-71. It was the third win all-time for STJ over the Irish, with all three coming under the direction of Kim Barnes Arico.

 The above info was emailed to me by the coaching staff at duPont Manual.  Congratulations and best of luck to “Z”.