Mountaineers in the Pros
Miles McBride Links Up with Former West Virginia Coach
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride reunited with former West Virginia assistant Erik Martin on Thursday. Martin, now the head coach at South Carolina State, coached McBride at WVU for two seasons before his NBA tenure.
“What a day, I was able to watch my guy and New York Knicks guard Deuce McBride practice, and grab lunch with him. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached, he deserves all the blessings that come his way. Good luck and health in the upcoming season Deuce. Love you brother,” Martin wrote on social media.
What a day, I was able to watch my guy and New York Knicks guard Deuce McBride practice,and grab lunch with him. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached, he deserves all the blessings that come his way. Good luck and health in the upcoming season Deuce. Love you brother. pic.twitter.com/V9bSTkfql9
— Erik Martin (@HCEmartinSCSU) October 3, 2024
Martin is entering his third season at SC State, with momentum from last year. The Bulldogs finished MEAC play 9-5 which got them second in the conference standings. Martin was able to get nine more wins from his first to second season. Martin was an assistant at West Virginia under Bob Huggins from 2007-22 and also at Kansas State from 2006-07.
McBride wrapped up his third NBA season for the Knicks last month, falling to the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals. McBride saw increased play, including starting during the playoffs. McBride averaged 8.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 68 regular season games and 11.0 points on 44% shooting in 26.7 minutes per contest in the playoffs.
Last December, McBride signed a $13 million extension with the Knicks over the next three years. The Knicks traded away many players throughout the season, allowing McBride to pick up more minutes in the rotation.
McBride played two seasons at West Virginia from 2019-21, leading the Mountaineers to an NCAA Tournament appearance during his sophomore year. McBride averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
