Asante Martin joins elite company among Owen basketball greats

Senior recognized for moving into second place on All-Time Scoring List

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 14, 2026

Owen senior Asante Martin receives a ball, Feb. 12, commemorating his 1,709th career point for the Warhorses, placing him second among the program’s all-time leading scorers. Photo by Fred McCormick

The record books throughout 71 years of Owen basketball history are filled with prominent names and storied accomplishments. Future hall of fame coaches, a top NBA draft pick and Super Bowl winning quarterback have all patrolled the court in maroon and white.

While the list of great Warhorse players and coaches is a lengthy one filled with noteworthy alumni, current senior Asante Martin joined it, Feb. 12, when he was recognized for moving into the second on the program’s list of all-time leading career scorers.

A member of the varsity Owen basketball team since his freshman year, the guard was presented at mid-court with a basketball commemorating his 1,709th point, which he recorded, Jan. 20, when he tallied 30 in a victory over Polk County. Martin surpassed former Warhorse and Montreat College standout Jesse Gardner, placing him behind Brad Johnson, who scored 2,398 points in his career at Owen before leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL title in 2003.

Playing for a program that has included Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Roy Williams and number one NBA draft pick Brad Daugherty, Martin has established himself as a consistent scoring threat, notching 30 or more points 11 times in nearly four seasons at Owen. He posted a career-high 45 points last December in a Warhorse victory on the road against Mitchell.

This year, Martin leads his team in nearly every statistical category, averaging a career-high 26.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and nearly 1 steal per game. With an ability to score from beyond the 3-point arc, the mid-range and at the rim, the Western Highlands Conference leading scorer is ranked among the top 3A scorers in the sate.

The son of Warren Wilson College women’s head basketball coach and athletic director Robin Martin, in her 11th season on the sideline for the Owls, Asante credits his mother’s support and passion for the game for his success on the court.

“Everything, who I am and what I do, comes from her,” he said. “I have three sisters sitting in the stands right now, and my mother raised us by herself. Seeing her motivation, coming home and taking care of us everyday, has always inspired me. Her work ethic is really where I get mine from.”

One of his sisters, Ellie, led the Warlassies in scoring before graduating in 2024 and joining her mother on the court at Warren Wilson, where she is a sophomore guard for the Owls.

The product of a basketball family, Asante was comfortable in the gym when he arrived at Owen in 2022, but his confidence was boosted by head coach Joe Valencia.

Asante Martin, the second-leading scorer Owen basketball history, drives to the basket against Hendersonville, Feb. 12, for layup. Photo by Fred McCormick

“He really just believed in me from the start, and eventually I just realized I can do this,” Asante said of the coach. “He tells me every game, ‘leave no doubt,’ because he knows I’m the best player in the game every time. I’m not a player who brags about himself, but when you have someone telling you that over and over, you start to believe it.”

The guard has registered double-digit scoring performances in 66 of 71 games since his sophomore year, including 12 double-double performances and a triple-double last season against Brevard.

“My teammates know I’m not really a score-first guy, but if that’s what we need to win the game, I’m going to do it,” Asante said. “This team is really close and we’ve built such great chemistry over the years, so we all come out and do whatever we have to do every night to try to win games. We just trust each other.”

With his 1,709th career point, the senior moved ahead of the father of his current teammate, Slade Gardner.

“It’s kind of funny, and we laugh about it all the time,” Asante said. “But, seriously, I know (Jesse) was a great player and it is a real honor just to have my name mentioned with him and the other guys on that list.”

Being recognized by the home crowd before the game marked a “top-three” moment in his basketball career, he added.

“It feels great to be recognized for an achievement like this, but obviously, basketball is a team sport,” Asante said. “Honestly, if we can get out there and win that conference tournament this year, that will feel a lot better.”