A change of plans for Miles Martin

Miles Martin, who played two years at Homestead High before playing at Westwind Prep in Phoenix as a senior and, most recently, San Jose State University, is moving on elsewhere courtesy of an NCAA ruling.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pounder recently found out that none of his academic work at Westwind was accepted by the NCAA and thus his eligibility was denied despite an appeal. He is one of 42 Westwind student-athletes effected.

The bad news: he won't be a Spartan in 2013-14.

The good news: he has landed at Riverside City College (RCC) and will be playing basketball for Coach Phil Matthews, most recently a UCLA assistant and someone who headed the USF program from 1995-2004.

Martin has other options elsewhere but preferred to remain in-state.

"I'll probably be here for two years," Martin said.

Why southern California, Riverside in particular?

Martin and Westwind Prep participated in a tournament in Inglewood last season and he was noticed by a Riverside assistant. They got to talking and a relationship developed. What seemed insignificant then eventually proved fruitful.

The Tigers finished 19-9 last season and John Smith, then the head coach, was hired as an assistant at Cal State Fullerton. Coach Matthews will have RCC in a tournament come early November at San Jose City College so Martin will enjoy the opportunity to play in front of friends and family.