Greg Wahl-stephens / AP

The Trail Blazers' Martell Webster (8) shoots a three-point basket over the Wizards' DeShawn Stevenson on March 25.

Martell Webster

Forward/guard, Portland Trail Blazers

Age: 21

Drafted sixth overall in June 2005, the 6’7”, 230-pound Webster was in the last group of players allowed to go straight from high school to the NBA. Raised by his great-aunt in Seattle, Webster was happy to stay close to home and play for a coach who’d known him since age 13, when Webster played AAU ball with Nate McMillan’s son.

What’s been the favorite moment of your career so far? Playing organized basketball for the first time in sixth grade with my rec league team in Seattle. That was the highlight of my career because it was the beginning of something that I still think is really great. I was a lot taller than everyone else but I was horrible. I couldn’t chew gum and walk at the same time. But I had fun.

What’s been the toughest moment of your career? Probably adjusting when I first went to the NBA from high school. That was a huge transition. I was just as big as everyone else but I felt out of place a bit. Both leagues are about dribbling a basketball but other than that they’re completely different.

If you weren’t playing basketball what would you be doing? Something with music. I have a studio at home and it’s what I do in my spare time. After I put in all my work in basketball I go home and relax in my studio with my keyboards. I have a couple good friends who come down and we make songs. It’s a hobby for me.

Is there an athlete in another sport who you admire? Tiger Woods. I love his game, I love watching him play. It’s like him vs. a whole bunch of little kids. All the hard work he did with his dad growing up and how it’s paid off and made him into the man he is today, and that he’s unstoppable — that’s something I really appreciate. I’ve tried playing golf and it’s not pretty.

What’s your favorite movie? “Man on Fire” with Denzel Washington. (Note: That’s San Antonio Spurs’ Bruce Bowen’s fave too.)

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go, who would you go with and what would you do? I’d go to Paris with my best friend and little brother. That’s a spot I really want to get to. It’s beautiful.

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