​Walt Williams kept Maryland in the conversation even after his nephew, Brayden Martin, committed to Florida State as a high school sophomore. The former Terps basketball star never considered the recent MLB draft pick’s recruitment finished.“In the back of my mind, I always felt like until he touched the campus, we always had a chance,” Williams said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe chance arrived when Florida State changed coaching staffs, and Martin reopened his recruitment. Williams intensified his pitch, and Martin ultimately chose Maryland in 2023.Three years later, Williams watched as Martin’s Maryland journey carried him into professional baseball, with the Toronto Blue Jays selecting him No. 342 overall in the 11th round of Sunday’s MLB draft.“All the work that you put in, all the wins and losses and all the hits, all the memories you made — it paid off,” Martin told The Baltimore Sun. “I was just glad I could share it with the people that I love.”The Bowie native heard his name called at Williams’ house, surrounded by his parents, Kenny and Lesli, along with other family members and former Maryland teammates and coaches. His family wore shirts featuring moments from his baseball journey.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It was just blessings, man,” Williams said. “He’s been working so hard for a long time for this. This is his dream, and to be able to see him live out his dream was just an amazing moment.”Long before his nephew became an on-base standout with the Terps, Williams starred for Maryland men’s basketball from 1988 to 1992 and averaged a program-record 26.8 points across 29 games during his senior season. The Sacramento Kings selected him No. 7 overall in the 1992 NBA draft, beginning an 11-year career that included the 1996-97 season and 28 games the following year with the Toronto Raptors.Martin has never visited Canada, but Williams remembers Toronto as one of the most enjoyable stops of his career. He still keeps in touch with former Raptors teammates and plans to share more about the city with his nephew.He offered one practical warning first.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“One thing you gotta be ready for is before every game is double national anthems,” Williams joked. “Just make sure you get a routine for after the national anthem because you’re there for a minute.”Before the draft, Williams advised Martin not to become consumed by projections, rounds or pick numbers. The selection would only provide an opportunity; the real work would begin afterward. ‘I took myself way too serious’: Mark Turgeon reflects on Maryland tenure Brayden Martin, nephew of Terps legend, selected by Blue Jays in MLB draft Terps pitcher Lance Williams drafted by Chicago Cubs in 8th round Maryland native Chris Hacopian selected by Washington Nationals in MLB draft Parents of late Maryland football player help others in son’s honor “He talked about how even if you do