Holy Cross lands Worcester Academy tandem

Sunday, October 6th, 2019

Holy Cross landed a pair of commitments over the weekend from the Worcester Academy and BABC tandem of Judson Martindale and Michael Rabinovich. 

While Martdinale announced his decision on Saturday and Rabinovich on Sunday, their choices were very much coordinated. That's not to say they intended to be any sort of package deal, only that Holy Cross recruited them both individually and ultimately the opportunity to go together became intriguing to them. 

New Crusaders' head coach Brett Nelson not only made them both priorities individually but also the Worcester Academy program as a whole, given that their campuses are only a few miles apart. 

"I just keep going back to, recruiting is relationships," said Worcester Academy head coach Jamie Sullivan, "and Brett has built relationships with the guys. He and his staff started building relationships three months ago when they took that job. They made those guys a priority." 

While Martindale and Rabinovich may have ended up in the same spot, their paths have been very unique. 

Martindale came out of middle school as a celebrated young prospect who was chosen attend the prestigious CP3 Camp. As is often the case though, early accolades proved to be more of a burden than anything as Martindale battled injuries early in his career and then struggled to live up to those early labels. He's played the best basketball of his career over the last year though, getting himself into the best shape of his career, developing his three-point shooting into a weapon, and utilizing his size and vertical athleticism on the wing. 

"Judson has been a four-year player for us," Sullivan said. "He has always been at the forefront of everyone knowing who he is but he became a really goood two-way player who shot 42-81 from the three last year as a junior." 

Conversely, Rabinovich is a classic late-bloomer who is now just starting to come into his own. 

"Michael came in as a scrowny 7th grader, played on the middle school team, and then the JV team. He became a varsity player through his hard-work and commitment," recalled Sullivan. "He'd work-out with Coach Reilly, spend summers with Tommy Rivard at Worcester Academy and their stories are very similar."

Rabinovich's profile among college coaches really began to change last fall when he landed his first division I offers. Nevertheless, he played a smaller role during both the prep season and subsequent EYBL campaign. He's made another jump this fall though and is now showing increasing signs of the inside-out versatility that makes him so intriguing at 6-foot-9. 

Together, this duo gives Holy Cross a very nice start to their 2020 recruiting class. Martindale is a high-profile prospect who is physically ready to contribute from day one and potentially play multiple positions. Rabinvoch may be ready to play right away as a freshman as well but there's no denying that his best basketball remains in front of him.