Jaidon and Quintin Martin aren’t just brothers from East York, Ont. - they’re teammates.
They are one of two sets of siblings on the Holland College Hurricanes men’s basketball team this season with Jahson and Jahreal Tomlinson from Ajax, Ont.
This isn’t the first time these brothers have run into each other, Ajax is just a 30 minute drive down the 401 to East York.
“I actually played with Jahson growing up, AAU with CIA Bounce before I even knew his bro, before he even knew my bro. So crazy full circle moment to have both of our brothers just on the same team,” said Quintin.
Quintin relayed off his brother.
“Yeah, I mean, it's funny how it's a small world because we grew up in the city playing against each other or just seeing each other at tournaments or just competition and stuff. So it's funny how we all ended up here, but it's crazy just how your journeys cross paths because we're all different ages.”
Being out here with family, and other players from the same city as you makes it special.
“Like, it just feels a little different being out there on the floor with them. We could talk about chemistry, but like, this is somebody, you know, that can't get really close to me.
Like, that's my rib right there, you know? So for me, it's special being on the same team as my bro and another set of bros as well,” said Jaidon.
The Tomlinson brothers push each other to be great on and off the court.
“Going at each other like and knowing at the end of the day, it's all love, you know, like we're brothers. Yeah, they're not too much of an adjustment because the way we move like in real life is just kind of the same,” said Jahreal.
The competition makes them better.
“Staying hard on each other, wanting to see each other better every day and like making sure. You know that you're getting better and you're seeing your progress and just every day keep chipping at it. I feel like I'm always competitive against my brother and like I enjoy the competition,” said Jahson.
Playing together on the same team has helped the Martin brothers understand each other better.
“It's helped me understand my brother more in the sense of the hunger that he plays with, in the sense of not taking plays off, and just being there for your teammates past like even your brother, the other guys that are on the floor. So yeah, it's definitely made me not just respect my brother more, but like realize like how special it is to have this moment,” said Jaidon.
Quintin missed the first half of the season due to an injury, but his first game back is something he will never forget.
“I feel like I kind of remember every moment from that game just because like, I feel like that was kind of stamped in my memory book of like things that I want to remember forever. So, I would say it's definitely very, very special to share the floor with him.”
Although the Tomlinson brothers played together last season on the Hurricanes, they still create memories every game.
“I feel like there's more memories to create, but all of them have been pretty special. I feel like through every moment, there's always like a positive takeaway and there's always like a level headed takeaway,” said Jahson. “We always like me and my brother, we always break it down after the game and see, you know, what's positive and what needs to be worked on.”
There is one goal that they came here for, and would create the best memory for them, said Quinton.
“I feel like every moment shared with my brother on the court is memorable, but I feel like, we came here for a purpose. I feel like I can speak for all four of us when we say we came here for a purpose, and, you know, it's to eventually bring a title to Holland College, so I feel like that needs to be done in order for me to, really have that cherry on top of such a
memorable experience with my brother.”
Written by: Noel Arnason