COLLEGE basketballer Drew Martin was the standout prospect at this week's Draft Combine in Los Angeles, in what has been described as the best ever group of American AFL hopefuls.
Martin was one of 18 athletes from around America to test over three days at the University of California, Los Angeles, in a bid to win a trial in Australia later this year.
The 22-year-old, who stood 201cm and 92kg, graduated with a finance degree last Saturday at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, before quickly going on to finish in the top-five of four tests.
"There was no time to celebrate for him – the night he graduated he was on a flight to Los Angeles to join 17 other college graduates, most he had never met, to chase a dream to be a professional sportsman," AFL national and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.
"The former college basketballer wasted little time in catching the eye of the AFL scouts, recording a lightning quick 2.85 seconds for the 20-metre sprint. That's rare for any AFL prospect at the NAB AFL Draft Combines held for over 20 years, and more recently in New Zealand, Ireland and the USA.
"And at his age and size there is still room for physical development to suit a new sport."
Carlton and Hawthorn were the AFL clubs in attendance across the Combine, with respective list managers Stephen Silvagni and Graham Wright in the US having met with football clubs during the NFL Draft.
The AFL will invite four of the US athletes to trial in front of all clubs later in the season after reviewing the Combine in coming weeks. The past few days saw the hopefuls also complete interviews and personality profiling as they attempt to follow Mason Cox and Jason Holmes into the AFL after attending the US sessions.
Another who could be in the mix includes Cullen Russo, a 203cm and 92kg athlete who ran 2.96 seconds for the 20-metre sprint and leapt 352cm for the absolute running vertical jump.
"That jump put him in elite all time company for AFL Combines, but it was his skills with the oval-shaped Sherrin ball which were just as impressive," Sheehan said.
"Strong in the air with his natural leap and clean hands, Russo picked up quickly on his disposal skills by hand and foot and looked comfortable with the ball.
"It should be no surprise Russo played a range of sports through his high school years, including football (NFL), soccer and baseball before specialising on basketball alone at college. Another switch looks extremely possible."
Zach Allman was another to do his hopes no harm, having finished in the top five for the repeat sprints and running vertical jump.
The US Combine followed the New Zealand Combine which was held late in April while AFL clubs were in the country for the NAB AFL Academy's tour.
The leading 40 athletes involved with the AFL New Zealand high performance program were invited to attend, with 18-year-old Mykelti Lefau recording the best results in three of the five tests undertaken.
Lefau signed with the Casey Demons in the VFL this year, and has played two games in the development league.
Top performers at 2017 US Combine
HEIGHT
Cole Walton (Sacred Heart), 207cm
Cullen Russo (Fresno State California), 203cm
Le Mon Gregory (Lamar, Texas), 203cm
Stephen Bennett (Texas Southern, Texas), 202cm
Nelson Kohler (Colorado State University, Colorado), 201cm
20m SPRINT
Drew Martin (Concordia-Portland, Oregon), 2.85 seconds
Saadiq Muhammad (Georgia), 2.90 seconds
Zach Lillie (Emmanuel College), 2.92 seconds
Tavario Miller (Texas), 2.93 seconds
Cullen Russo (Fresno State, California), 2.96 seconds
RELATIVE RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP
Stephen Bennett (Texas Southern, Texas), 90cm
Clarence Williams (East Carolina, California), 88cm
Cullen Russo (Fresno State, California), 86cm
Zach Allman (Vanguard University, California), 86cm
Drew Martin (Concordia-Portland, Oregon), 85cm
ABSOLUTE RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP
Stephen Bennett (Texas Southern, Texas), 356cm
Clarence Williams (East Carolina, Carolina), 353cm
Cullen Russo (Fresno State, California), 352cm
Marquis Cunningham (Arkansas Pine Bluff), 352cm
Zach Allman (Vanguard University, California), 350cm
STANDING VERTICAL JUMP
Drew Martin (Concordia-Portland, Oregan), 80cm
Devon Walker (Troy University, Alabama), 78cm
Nelson Kohler (Colorado State, Pueblo), 77cm
Cole Walton (Sacred Heart), 76cm
Zach Lillie (Emmanuel College), 75cm
REPEAT 30-METRE SPRINT
Saadiq Muhammad (Georgia), 25.37 seconds
Rand Rowland (Georgia Tech, Georgia), 25.57 seconds
Tavario Miller (Texas), 25.85 seconds
Zach Allman (Vanguard University, California), 25.86 seconds
Keith Jumper (Pfeiffer University, North Carolina), 26.09 seconds
AGILITY RUN
Zach Lillie (Emmanuel College), 8.30 seconds
Keith Jumper (Pfeiffer University, North Carolina), 8.40 seconds
Deonte Hearns (Louisiana), 8.45 seconds
Saadiq Muhammad (Georgia), 8.52 seconds
Tavario Miller (Texas), 8.53 seconds
3KM TIME TRIAL
Rand Rowland (Georgia Tech, Georgia), 11 min 23 seconds
Devon Walker (Troy University, Alabama), 11 min 27 seconds
Drew Martin (Concordia-Portland, Oregan), 12 min 17 seconds
Stephen Bennett (Texas Southern, Texas), 12 min 20 seconds
Bola Olaniyan (Alabama), 12 min 26 seconds
