Gratz's Josh Martin commits to Albany

Josh Martin's winding high school road, full of many stops, has finally led to a destination.

The Simon Gratz senior committed to play basketball at Albany on Friday and will sign a letter of intent at a news conference sometime this week.

"I went on my official visit on Thursday, came back Friday, sat down with Coach [Leonard] Poole and my mom [Sonya], and made the decision that day," Martin said.

A 6-foot-2 guard, Martin picked Albany over Wichita State, South Florida and Wright State. He made an oral commitment to Toledo during the season but changed his mind after his parents noticed an Internet report that the Rockets had signed another point guard.

That was just another chapter in Martin's basketball saga.

"I've had a real nice and long, successful high school story," Martin said. "So I knew everything would work out."

Martin attended and played basketball at Cardinal Dougherty for two years before transferring to Prep Charter, where he was part of the PIAA Class AA state champion Huskies. Before his senior year, though, Martin moved over to Gratz, and the Bulldogs advanced to the Class AAAA state semifinals.

Martin's news conference will be held in conjunction with those of two other Bulldogs. Ishmawiyl McFadden, a 6-6 forward, is headed to Maryland-Eastern Shore, and Tommie Sykes, a 6-4 guard, is bound for Odessa Junior College in Texas.

The day of the news conference has not been determined.