The journey from underappreciated and undervalued to a surprising standout is nothing new for Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremiah Martin.

Before his arrival at the University of Memphis in 2015, the local Mitchell High prospect was labeled a three-star recruit and ranked 397th nationally by 247Sports. By the time he graduated from the U of M, the 6-foot-2 guard finished as a top 10 scorer in school history and fourth in the school record book for single-game points (43 against Tulane).

So it should come as no surprise that Sunday night, from the NBA bubble in Orlando, interim Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn pegged Martin as a player that continues to catch his eye during team scrimmages and practice.

“He’s eager to learn when he steps into the gym,” Vaughn said. “I mentioned, his teammates really enjoy being around him. He’s been fearless. He will get to the rim with no hesitation. Overall, he can really impact the game defensively, whether that’s turning a guy in the backcourt or being (strong) enough to get steals in the half court.

“He’s definitely a guy who is thirsting for knowledge to get better, and we really enjoy him being in the gym.”

To Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, that quote would sound eerily familiar. The Tigers coach was singing the same praises in his lone season with Martin at Memphis.

It’s why Hardaway thought Martin should have been drafted in June of 2019.

Instead, Martin signed a contract with the Miami Heat G League affiliate Sioux Falls SkyForce, then landed a two-way deal with the Nets in mid-January. During his time in the G League this season, Martin averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

But the NBA’s summer restart is undoubtedly his biggest break yet.

Due to several injuries and coronavirus concerns, the Nets will be missing six usual rotation players when they resume play on July 31 against the Orlando Magic. That list includes superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler and Nic Claxton.

For players like Martin, that likely means more playing time than he’s ever experienced at the NBA level, and a meaningful chance to prove himself in front of a sports-hungry audience.

“This is a great opportunity, something I’ve been waiting on and working for all my life,” Martin said. “All my life, especially back in high school, just knowing this was something I really wanted to do.”

“When I got to high school under my coach Faragi Phillips, he built that competitiveness inside of me and it’s stayed with me all throughout my career. This started in high school, just working to be where I want to be, and it just feels good to now be out there competing.”

Phillips, now an assistant coach under Jerry Stackhouse at Vanderbilt, and Martin are still in close contact.

“I talked to Penny before I left (for the bubble), and I’ve been talking to Faragi a lot,” Martin said. “We talk about me just taking advantage (of the opportunity) and doing things I know I’m supposed to do.”

Because the player and his former coach would hate for the sweat equity they built inside that South Memphis high school gymnasium to go to waste. Martin didn’t leave his young daughter, Journee, at home for a missed opportunity.

“It’s hard not being around my daughter,” Martin said. “I talk to her every day. I miss her, but I know the ultimate goal is to play basketball, do my job, and be able to take care of her.”

“I’m in the bubble,” Martin added. “This is the first time this has ever happened and the first time in history. I’m going to play against some great players and great teams. … If I wasn’t here, I would have been wanting to be here, so I’m going to take full advantage of it.”