Joe Gaiter: What does basketball mean to you?
San Marteen Rozier: Basketball is the reason I’m in school. Without basketball I don’t know what I would be doing honestly, it’s my safe haven. Whenever I need to get away and relax my mind basketball is what I use to do that. Whatever I do when I’m done, playing basketball will be involved.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
San Marteen Rozier: I grew up in Conyers, Georgia. My childhood was fun. I grew up in a competitive family. I’m the youngest on my mom’s side of the family and second youngest on my dad’s side. Growing up I always wanted to be around my brothers Cecil and Barry. I always wanted to be like my brother (Barry) who played football and basketball in high school. I remember my first jersey number in high school was #3 like he did when he played. He made it hard on me making me play versus older people and it made me tough. I remember I used to cry because I was losing, but now nobody in my family can guard me anymore. (laughs)
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about Heritage High School?
San Marteen Rozier: My Fondest memories of Heritage was going to the Sweet 16 my senior year after losing in the first round of the Region Tournament to a 7 seed my junior season. I met a lot of good people there that I still communicate with til this day.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience?
San Marteen Rozier: My recruiting experience was pretty rough. Playing at Heritage I battled injuries for two years trying to get back to who I was before the injuries which caused a lot of frustration. I had to learn how to do what I was good at which was defending a team’s best player each night to be able to help contribute. After Heritage, Coach Aaron Tribbey gave me a chance at Middle Georgia Prep where I gained more confidence and experience that I didn’t get those past two seasons.
West Georgia Tech How was your time at West Georgia Tech Community College?
San Marteen Rozier: My time at West Georgia Tech was great. I Started there 2 straight years, played with a lot of good players, won a championship my freshman year, and graduated with my Associates in Psychology.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you choose Paine College?
San Marteen Rozier: Coach Mike recruited me when I was leaving West Ga Tech, but I didn’t come right away. It was close to the time of my daughter being born and I also didn’t plan on playing basketball after my time at West Ga Tech. I stayed there and helped be a volunteer coach for a little and Coach Mike contacted me again about coming and I decided to come while also having the opportunity to play beside someone that I basically grew up with (Charles Moore). I knew Coach Mike from when I played against him when he was at Chatt Tech and I knew his coaching style would fit with the way I like to play.
Joe Gaiter: What were some of your stats this year?
San Marteen Rozier: My stats this past season was rough coming off a year of not touching a ball or playing against competition. I averaged right around 2.5 PPG, 2.5 Rbs, and 2 Assists with 18 Steals.
Joe Gaiter: Paine was 5-21 this year. What went wrong?
San Marteen Rozier: We were only focused for 5 of those games. When we actually turned it on we showed flashes of what could be a good team. Versus Tuskegee in the tournament I believe was our best performance everything that night was clicking and we showed that we can play with the top teams in the conference, but a couple nights later showed our lack of focus versus Morehouse. So, we all look forward to getting back to campus and competing at a higher level next season. It’s a couple teams that we look forward to playing after what happened this past season.
Joe Gaiter: What are your strengths and areas of improvement as a guard?
San Marteen Rozier: My strengths are defending and being a leader in the classroom and on the court. Coach Beard tells me all the time that I’m going to be a Coach one day so I try and be the coach on the floor and make his job much easier. Areas of improvement would be holding myself and my teammates more accountable, being aggressive, and limiting turnovers and taking advantage of each possession.
Joe Gaiter: What can we expect from you next season?
San Marteen Rozier: Next season you can expect me to be more aggressive offensively and being a True floor general. Expect me to be ready to play each night and give it my all.
Joe Gaiter: Where are you working out during the off-season?
San Marteen Rozier: Due to COVID I’ve kind of been just doing my own thing to keep myself in shape, but in a few weeks I will be starting Speed and Agility training with my trainer Coach Chris Pennamon and hopefully when the gyms open back up I’ll be working out at Monticello High School where my trainer coaches basketball and track.
https://www.paffect.com
Joe Gaiter: What has been your motivation?
San Marteen Rozier: My motivation is to prove those wrong who didn’t believe I would be where I am today. I had a few trainers who didn’t believe in me and a couple people tell me I wouldn’t play College Basketball. I also had a person tell me I wouldn’t graduate high school and I have one degree and a year away from my second. That’s what drives me to be successful with the support of family and friends.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
San Marteen Rozier: The first person to get me to actually play organized basketball was my cousin Rudy. She seen me playing basketball outside and made my mom sign me up to play basketball and I forever appreciate her for that!
Joe Gaiter: What is life like for you off the court?
San Marteen Rozier: Off the court I’m a chill person majority of the time. I’m probably working, seeing my daughter, hanging out with my family or friends.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
My major is Marketing. I plan on finding somewhere that I can be a Grad Assistant and start coaching and later on starting my own business.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
San Marteen Rozier: I want people to remember me as somebody who gave everything he had no matter what the circumstances are.
Joe Gaiter: What are you grateful for?
San Marteen Rozier: I’m grateful for my daughter Ryenn, my Parents, my trainer/mentor (Chris Pennamon), my brothers and sisters, my Family, my friends, Coaches and previous Coaches, and the opportunity to play basketball again at Paine College.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we need to keep on our radar?
San Marteen Rozier: All of my teammates at Paine!
Individually: Charles Moore (Paine), Darryl Bowie (Overseas), Jordan Thomas (Georgia College), Isaiah Banks (FIU) and Byron Abrams(Clayton State)
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
San Marteen Rozier: I want to thank God and thank you giving me the opportunity to do an interview. Thank you Chase Parker for everything and to my family and friend. I Love You!
Joe Gaiter: Shout out?
San Marteen Rozier:
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My Daughter Ryenn
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My Parents and Siblings
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My family and friends
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Chris Pennamon and PAFFECT Training
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Mrs. Sommer
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Aaron Tribbey
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Coaches
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Teammates
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Gaiter Sports
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Lazarrusman1962 Photography
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ChanZachPhotography
