Martin Somerville Transferred to West Virginia
The veteran junior guard joined the Mountaineers after previous stints at Florida State and UMass Lowell.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Does frequent roster turnover in college basketball help or hinder team unity in your area?
Junior guard Martin Somerville officially joined the West Virginia University men's basketball team during the 2026 offseason. He is one of 12 new additions to the Mountaineers roster heading into the upcoming season.
Why it matters
Coach Ross Hodge targeted Somerville for his reputation as a leader and connector within the locker room. The transfer also cited his extensive experience adapting to new environments across multiple Division I programs as a key asset.
Standing 6-foot-3, Somerville averaged 13.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game at UMass Lowell. Last season at Florida State, he started 10 games while the team finished with an 18-15 overall record.
The players
Martin Somerville
He is a 6-foot-3 junior guard who has played for multiple Division I basketball programs.
Ross Hodge
He serves as the head coach for the West Virginia University men's basketball team.
Brenen Lorient
He is a basketball player currently awaiting a court ruling on his athletic eligibility.
Javan Buchanan
He is a basketball player currently awaiting a court ruling on his athletic eligibility.
The details
Somerville joins the team having attended six different schools over the course of his seven-year career. He transitioned to Morgantown following his time in Tallahassee, where he helped Florida State maintain a 10-8 record in the ACC.
Timeline
Last week, a court hearing occurred regarding the eligibility of Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan.
During last season, Somerville competed for the Florida State basketball program.
This news was published on September 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The addition of Somerville reflects the broader trend of roster volatility in modern college basketball driven by the transfer portal. His presence helps stabilize the Mountaineers' rotation as the team integrates 12 new players before the season begins.
Somerville's addition provides the Mountaineers with a veteran playmaker who averaged 13.6 points per game at his previous stop. His ability to facilitate the offense will be critical for a roster that is currently incorporating 12 new scholarship players.
The takeaway
The Mountaineers are banking on veteran leadership to gel a highly altered roster during the 2026 season. Fans should watch how Coach Hodge utilizes this depth as the team integrates new transfers into the rotation.
What happens next
A court ruling on the eligibility status of Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan is expected in the near future.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates for the Basketball team in Morgantown.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WV MetroNews.
Live Poll
Does frequent roster turnover in college basketball help or hinder team unity in your area?
