MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Tynice Martin is not expected to play when the West Virginia women’s basketball team opens its season against Saint Francis (Pa.) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Mountaineers star guard has been indefinitely suspended since August for a violation of team rules.
Martin pleaded no contest Wednesday to a battery charge, stemming from a July 15 incident in which a police report stated that Martin and a friend went to the victim’s house and allegedly pushed the victim against a storm door, where she was choked, beaten and shoved.
Martin was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and can have no contact with the victim. Martin must also comply with all conditions from WVU and any violations of the sentence could lead to a $500 fine and/or up to one year in jail.
All of it was a first step in Martin’s possible return, which has always been expected throughout the basketball ranks.
Martin was named to the Big 12 preseason first-team last month. On Wednesday, Martin’s name was added to the women’s Naismith Trophy watch list.
Through summer workouts that led to two exhibition games in Italy and Greece this summer and two preseason exhibitions against Virginia Tech and Salem University, the Mountaineers have already spent four months playing without Martin.
“It’s certainly not our best situation, but it’s one we’ve been dealing with,” said WVU head coach Mike Carey, who chose not to comment when asked directly about Martin’s situation on Wednesday. “I still like our energy and the way others have stepped up. I’m never happy, but we’re trying to get better.”
As for who Carey is looking at to help fill Martin’s void, he listed several names including freshman forward Esmery Martinez, who was recently cleared for full contact after missing her senior season of high school with a knee injury.
“Esmery is going to be a big-time player,” Carey said. “I’m saying it right here: She’s got a chance to be a big-time player for West Virginia University. We’re really excited about her.”
Martinez, a 6-foot-2 forward, originally signed with Mississippi State last year, before getting her release. She then gave a verbal commitment to Texas, before changing her mind and signing with the Mountaineers.
“She’s been practicing all along, but was only cleared for contact for the last four days,” Carey said. “She looks good.”
Returning point guard Madisen Smith and power forward Kari Niblack will also be counted on heavily, as will guard Kysre Gondrezick, who is returning to the team after missing the final 26 games of last season for personal reasons.
Niblack will get to play her natural power forward position this season, because the Mountaineers now have 6-5 centers Rochelle Norris and Blessing Ejifor healthy and ready to go.
“We’ll definitely miss Tynice’s experience,” Niblack said. “This is her fifth year here. She knows coach Carey better than any of us. It’s been a great feeling watching everyone else chipping in.”
Gondrezick, a former Parade All-American coming out of high school in Michigan, led the Mountaineers with 18 points in their exhibition win against Salem.
“Our depth this year is going to play a huge part in our success this season,” Gondrezick said. “Even with Tynice, we have so many other offensive threats, especially with me transitioning back and (Smith) and Kari having that experience from last year. We have a senior leader in Lucky (Rudd) who can step up.
“It’s important for all of us to have a voice and be able to learn how to follow and be a leader at the same time.”
While it’s the opener for WVU, Saint Francis (0-1) comes in after a 105-41 loss against Virginia Tech on Tuesday. The Red Flash were held to just 15 points at halftime in that game.
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