New York – It takes more than just great basketball skills to play Toronto rapterIt also takes a passport.

Alija Martin learned to take into account this spring and to go into the 2025 NBA draft.

The 6 -foot -2 guard of the National Champion Florida delayed his first occasion to work for the raptors, when he forgot his necessary documents, ensuring that he brought it to New York for a draft. Certainly, he is a toronto-bound after being taken with number 39 pick on Thursday night.

Martin had finished his five -year college career and was looking for his pro chance when the raptors sent words that they would like to come to Canada to take a look.

“I was going to the airport, because I was already doing workouts on the road, and I was just thinking,” Oh, I can only show a picture, you know how you do with ID, “Martin said. “But I reach there, try to investigate and I tell him that I have left my passport and he leaves,” Ooh, it’s a bad thing. “

Martin was able to fly later on the same day and go to Toronto.

He was a starter for the two last four teams, which helped Florida Atlantic to reach there in 2023 before he moved to Florida for its last season. He scored 14.4 points in the previous season as Gates moved beyond 36-4 and won his third National Championship.

Now he is coming back to Toronto, and this time the passport is already pack.

“Just in the case,” he said with a smile.