Murray State University Athletics
Racer Greats Martin & Jones To Attend RACERHOOPALOOZA
8/7/2013 12:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RACERHOOPLALOOZA Home
Murray State Basketball's all-time leading scorer and rebounder have confirmed that they will attend RACERHOOPALOOZA (Aug. 15-16) in Murray, Ky.
Popeye Jones and Jeff Martin, two of the most recognizable names in the 88-year history of Racer Basketball, will make a great event even better when RACERHOOPALOOZA honors former head coach Mark Gottfried at the program's fundraiser at the CFSB Center.
"We're all very excited to have so many former players and coaches coming back to campus for this event," MSU Head Coach Steve Prohm said. "This will be a special weekend for the Racer Family. I want to encourage all Murray State fans to get their tickets now for the RACERHOOPALOOZA, they don't want to miss this!"
Jones, who played for the Racers from 1988-92, is still the all-time leading rebounder with 1,374. The native of Dresden, Tenn., was the nation's top rebounder in back-to-back seasons with a high of 14.4 boards per game in the 1991-92 season. Jones is one of only two to finish in the top-5 all-time scorers and rebounders along with Isaac Spencer (1997-01) who will be inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in 2014.
"The biggest thing for me is to be able to come back to Murray and see the guys I played with. But I'm also looking forward to meeting the players who were there before me and after," Jones said. "Coach Prohm has done a great job in reaching out to the former players and coaches and creating that Racer Family atmosphere. He's done that with his current team, but also for us."
Jones spent parts of 11 seasons in the NBA playing for the Mavericks, Raptors, Celtics, Nuggets, Wizards and Warriors. Since his playing days, Popeye has served in the New Jersey Nets organization and this season will be moving to the Indiana Pacers as an assistant coach.
Martin, a native of Cherry Valley, Ark., scored 2,484 points for the Racers from 1985-89 and was a senior when Jones was a freshman in the 1988-89 season. As a junior, Martin scored an amazing 806 points and averaged 26.0 points per game. After his MSU days, Martin played two seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers and a total of 11 seasons as a professional.
"There is no question that Murray State Basketball has been as good as any program in the country and I'm just really proud to be part of that," Martin said from his home in Houston, Texas. "I'm very excited to come back to campus and see everyone and I'm bringing my entire family. Thanks to Coach Prohm for reaching out to us. When he contacted me, I knew I wanted to be there."
For the former Racers that can make it back and for the ones who can't make it this time and will attend in the future, Jones says the feeling is the same.
"Being a player at Murray State is special when you're a current player, but as the years go by it has a deeper meaning," Jones added. "Especially when you think about where you came from, the hard work you put in and the opportunity that you were given to play there."
Racer fans can still be part of the fun by reserving their spot at the dinner (Aug. 15) and/or the golf scramble (Aug. 16) by calling the MSU ticket office at (270) 809-3000 or stopping by in person at the CFSB Center.
RACERHOOPALOOZA, sponsored by CFSB, begins with a banquet and "Toast" to former Racer coach Mark Gottfried, currently the head coach at North Carolina State. A social hour and silent auction of select Racer basketball memorabilia begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. The program will take place after the buffet dinner.
On Friday (Aug. 16) the basketball team is hosting a scramble golf tournament at the Murray Country Club, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Foursomes will be assigned a fifth Racer celebrity to play with each group.
Dinner reservations are $65 per person or $490 for a table of eight. Golf scramble reservations are $65 per person or $235 for a foursome.
The list of former MSU players and coaches that are attending continues to grow. Isaiah Canaan, former Racer and recent NBA draft pick by the Houston Rockets has confirmed he will be able to attend the Friday golf event and luncheon.
Here is the list of former players and coaches that will be attending the dinner.
Tom Adams
Tevester Anderson
Ivan Aska
Darron Boatright
Marcus Brown
Justin Burdine
Bruce Carter
Tony Easley
Derrick Flowers
Michael Floyd
George Fotso
Ray George
Mark Gottfried
Ron Greene
Arnell Hamilton
Tim Haworth
Gene Herndon
Tyler Holloway
Danny Jarrett
Keith Jenifer
Popeye Jones
Rob Kennedy
Jewuan Long
Cal Luther
Jeff Martin
Deteri Mayes
Len Mahoney
Walter Moore
Dwayne Paul
Bennie Purcell
Issian Redding
Aubrey Reese
Kenny Roth
James Singleton
Picasso Simmons
Scott Sivills
Barney Tweatt
Danero Thomas
Mike Turner
Bo Walden
Antoine Whelchel
Shawn Witherspoon
