Watch the film and get ready for the next season., https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/04/15003824/2-3.mp4, https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/04/15010309/4-4.mp4, https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/04/15012753/7-1.mp4. Like his father, Martin Jr. displayed high-flying athleticism, rebounding and toughness on both ends of the floor. Probably the most improved on our team, Silas said of Martin. At 67, Martin is never winning the height battle when it comes to barreling centers in the restricted area. This is about him. Thats fine in a sense, as you dont want your players to become glued to the ball. Because of his lack of volume shooting, defenses can tend to sag off him or ignore him completely. But their bond helped him follow in Kenyon Sr.s footsteps (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images). The son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin -- the No. WebMartin was born in Saginaw, Michigan on December 30, 1977 to Lydia Moore, a single mother of two. Me and my friends were running around together trying to figure it out. He has a sister, Tamara, who is 3 years older. On Friday, Kenyon Martin Jr of the Houston Rockets threw the hammer down over Lopez and it produced a hilarious reaction from the (h/t Bleacher Report on Twitter): He also played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. When New Jersey plays the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in Game 3 of their three-of-five first-round playoff series, it will rely on Martin to provide defensive intimidation. In 2000, he was named National college player of the year. He has three children Kamron Martin, Cierra Reign Martin, Kenyon Martin Jr, who was declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. I let him know everything that goes into this decision. In 2015, Martin signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks and later signed for the whole season. The oldest of Martin Sr.s five children has similar stunning athleticism to his father. I can articulate it to somebody who never played it, somebody whos played it, coaches, media, whoever. 1 over basketball, Martin Jr. said. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. The workout will be conducted by renowned trainer and former NBA assistant coach Rico Hines, who has been working with the 18-year-old for more than a month at UCLA. Martin is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Pistons due to a left hip flexor strain. Coach Stephen Silas said he has no update on Martin after he exited Tuesday's game versus the Nuggets early with an undisclosed injury but hopes he's okay, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports. So to see his growth and to see the time that he put into it and for him to not tune me out and to listen when Im helping him, when Im criticizing him when Im critiquing him, all those things, he never tuned me out, because it was all to help him accomplish his goals and that was to make it to the NBA. Im very thankful for my dad, Martin Jr. said. He used that as fuel, because hes playing against these guys.. , The synopsis is people just dont know what he is capable of doing on the basketball floor. He had his own trainer, and mostly picked up lessons from Martin Sr. and his NBA teammates through observation. Well, if youre ready, lets start. So far, the 21-year-old has played in 128 games and posted averages of 9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Obviously, defensive rotations help your team out but its a natural instinct from here, Martin said. Martin Jr. entered Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, during the 2015-16 school-year as a 6-foot-4 freshman expected to play varsity at 14 years old. While Martin has played well defensively for the most part, his offensive production ultimately will elongate his NBA tenure. Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. Martin signed with the University of Cincinnati where he eventually became the 2000 Associated Press National Player of the Year and graduated, as well. The NBA has been yearning for a well-known high school player to take the G League route, and Martin Jr. is very open-minded about that possibility. Whether its switching onto small guys containing the basketball, helping and getting those amazing blocked shots, rebounding above the fray. In case I forget, he tells me, Did you do this? If I say I forgot, he says, Well, you can do it right now since I reminded you. It helps a lot.. So I feel like I have that step on a lot of other guys in this draft this year. Martin clarified that he goes by KJ, rather than Kenyon (his fathers name), to avoid confusion. Her brother, Marty Harmon, was a freshman at Kent State when his team was playing Malone's Louisiana Tech team on Dec. 19, 1981. Every day, Skip and Shannon will give their unfiltered, incisive, passionate opinions on the biggest sports topics of the day.Kenyon Martin: George Karl disrespected my mother with his remarks | UNDISPUTEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUKFKjs61USkip and Shannon: UNDISPUTEDhttps://www.youtube.com/c/UndisputedOnFS1 When he dotted that line, its starting. 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That's the way our family has always been.''. Your login session has expired. I took the opportunity I had and made the best out of it., It was good for me just to get those game reps, Martin said. Teacher Appreciation Week 2023: Freebies and deals offered for educators, EXPLORE THE MENU: Latin Bites Kitchen in Houston, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, First Republic Bank seized by regulators, sold to JPMorgan Chase, DEADLY SHOOTING: Man shot multiple times in Houston gas station parking lot. It wasn't something that was far-fetched. We talk about that all the time.. I think the defensive concepts and things on those lines; how you have offensive plays, you have defensive coverages which are defensive plays. WebKenyon Martin Jr attended Oaks Christian High School as a freshman but did not play basketball that year. KJ is beginning his career as a rookie forward with the Houston Rockets. Me and the wife have already talked about it, and that is something where I definitely would have to be there with boots on the ground just making sure he is fine, Martin Sr. said. Kenyon Martin: Will warm up, intends to play. While last school year was painful for him, Martin Jr. feels that his dads action was a blessing for him in the long term. Martin Jr.s first report card had a 0.6 grade point average, and he wasnt turning in his homework. His father is former NBA star Kenyon Martin. Moore's mother died in December, while Martin was dealing with his suspension after his foul on Malone. And Kenyon enjoyed helping his son become the player that he is. Thats my name. And speaking of the Martin name, Kenyon said it was important that the name on the back of KJs jersey did not cause him any extra pressure. He made a decision. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images. Even though they are slightly undersized for the power forward position, they make up for it in athleticism and toughness. Later, his family moved to the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Anything he can think to do, Ive done it.. The former NBA star gives his son a hard lesson off the court. The following year, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and scored 6 points in the first game. Both Steph and Seth sit atop the list of all-time shooters in terms of percentage. as we plan to work out and review a number of players over the next couple of months before making any decisions. Martin Sr. also said his son had an attitude problem and was not taking care of responsibilities at home. While basketball skills werent a question for the son of the 2004 NBA All-Star who retired last year, effort in school was quite a different story. Christian Wood sign/trade triggered the hard cap, Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 23, 2020, #Rockets rookie guard @kj__martin, son of Kenyon Martin who played 15 years in the NBA, on hearing his name called in the 2nd round: It was great. He gets it, but Im trying to drill it in. He does little to play down that image when he plays rap music with explicit lyrics in the Nets' locker room before games. Forgoing his basketball scholarship at Vanderbilt, Kenyon Martin Jr., 19, has declared for the upcoming draft, announcing the decision on Instagram. He has a sister, Tamara, who is 3 years older. However, he continues to earn consistent playing time and keep his spot on the Houston Rockets' roster. When he got drafted that was a great step in the right direction.. Youd think young players would be wary going up against people at least a half-foot taller than him. I couldnt go to any of the events the school had. ''We tried to explain how much his team needed him and how he couldn't be sitting on the bench. Martin, 24, a power forward and the team's leading scorer in the regular season (14.9 points a game), has been forced by his own actions -- six flagrant fouls and seven suspensions costing him $347,057.05 this season -- to grow up in a public arena amid a backdrop of intense personal joy and loss. Along with making an All-Rookie team, the former No. The Cincinnati Bearcats retired the jersey number four in honor of him. Ive always played basketball, and thats all Ive wanted to do, Martin Jr. told ESPNs The Undefeated. He developed chemistry with Kevin Porter Jr., excelled in running the floor (1.064 points per possession) and also when deployed as a small-ball big (1.04 points per possession). NBA Kenyon Martin Jr. had untraditional journey to the NBA Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets. Hell get minutes and chances to develop. She taught Martin and his sister, Tamara, to be generous and tolerant but never to show weakness. Seeing it at a young age, seeing how they work every day & now actually being in this situation, it helped a lot. It was great to hear, because Houston had no pick & they bought a pick for me. When he was going through a terrible March -- Martin committed three flagrant fouls and was suspended for four games, and cried at missing them -- his family rallied around him. Martin Jr. attended Sierra Canyon School in California, where he was teammates with Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley, who was selected by Indiana with the 54th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. And in that regard, Silas is happy with what he sees from Martin Jr. Hes impressed in a lot of different aspects, Silas added. The Chatsworth, California, native has also been playing against professionals at the Drew League in Los Angeles and in pickup games at UCLA. ''He got the emotion from me and he got the mouth, too,'' she said, adding tearfully: ''I know my son is not a violent person. He played like it was his last game every game. Whether its switching onto small guys containing the basketball, helping and getting those amazing blocked shots, rebounding above the fray. In the next season, Martin helped his team to reach the 2002 NBA finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hes eligible. Martin Sr. then enrolled him at Chaminade. The is aware of how to maintain his personal life far from the media's eyes. He's not a mean person -- he loves people.''. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Martin Jr. is also open to spending the next year working out with a basketball trainer before potentially entering the 2020 NBA draft. After those conversations, Martin Jr. deliberated with his father. ''To be strong and to be there for one another. ''He's the type of person when he found he had a natural knack for basketball, he played it with so much passion,'' she said. If he didnt do what he did before, Id probably still be in the same position. Moreover, 2004 NBA All-Star started The Kenyon Martin Foundation and has been active in support of non-profit The Stuttering Foundation of America since 2005. pick KJ Martin (or a vet minimum) leaves them right at $138.9M number. Obviously, defensive rotations help your team out but its a natural instinct from here, Martin said. Its indescribable. But him being able to put it on the floor and create even to a limited degree would be extremely beneficial. When asked, Martin had to pause and collect his thoughts. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. While he wasn't the top pick of his class, Martin Jr. still got to hear his name called on draft night. Its fun to play defense; I take pride in it. The son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin Sr., Martin Jr. has declared for the 2020 NBA draft. I wouldnt have learned anything from what I did before.. '', Jason Kidd, patient in letting Martin mature, has approved of his aggressiveness. ''I'm here to play basketball,'' Martin said today after practice. But the main thing is hes learned. Far from it. And I think hes on the right team. ''I'm not a Dennis Rodman,'' Martin said. Like father, like son: KJ Martin follows in his dad's footsteps I remember his energy the most, he said. (Top Photo: Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images). Further, he holds an American nationality and belongs to the Afro-American ethnic background. Like art or music, it can take different forms. They worked out on the court, as well, with the youngster improving his post game and ballhandling. Im a fan. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. As of May 2023, Kenyon Martin has an estimated net worth of more than $70 million. Im a Rocket. And those feelings multiplied in a big way when KJ signed his first professional contract. Whatever comes with the game, take the opportunity and make the best out of it., I had experience before, Martin said of small-ball big, But whatever Coach asks me to do, Im up for the challenge, regardless of what it is. ''That's just not his style,'' Martin said. You can play on both ends of the floor.. Kelly Iko is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Houston Rockets since 2018. In 2020, Kenyon Martin Jr. joined the distinguished club of second-generation NBA players. About Us 1 pick in 2000. '', So did Bob Huggins, who coached Martin for four years at Cincinnati. That is, uh, pretty good. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds for back-to-back California Open Division champion Sierra Canyon High last season but at times was overshadowed on a loaded roster that boasted Duke signee Cassius Stanley, Vanderbilt signee Scotty Pippen Jr. and Arizona signee Christian Koloko. It might be the reason you know about him at all. Latest on Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN Martin is kind to people he trusts but can be short with those he does not. As a child, Martin was very shy, stuttered, and went to three high schools in four years. Mother Lydia Moore Birth Name Kenyon Lee Martin Jr. He heard the critiques. In a recent hypothetical trade proposal from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, the writer had the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets swapping young talent. ''I don't tell him to get mad,'' his mother said. In his entire career, he was the part of six teams including New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks. By way of comparison, Joel Embiid also has 31 dunks on the year but has played 1156 minutes to Martins 520. ''I fight through everything. Of course, Martin is not a finished product. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. I know what he needs to get better at. The only personal thing known about Martin Jr is he is dating. Follow all of your favorite Texas teams at Rockets Wire, Texans Wire,Aggies Wire, Cowboys Wire,andLonghorns Wire! Kenyon was the first-overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. I felt like that was best for me, being able to go work on my game for a year and get ready for the draft. Theres no rush. You cant put him in a situation where he is not going to be all in. , Martin Sr. said he initially broke the news to Stackhouse but also made his son call him because he needed to hear from him., [Stackhouse] was upset, Martin Jr. said. Now were here and to see all the hard work he put in, all the travel, all the criticism, all the hate, all the disrespect, all of that stuff, to come to this point, for him to sign his first contract, great.. If he throws me out there, Ill give 100 percent no matter what., Just working on getting my shot off the dribble, continuing to make my shot more consistent and building on myself as a basketball player, Martin said. PRO BASKETBALL; Mother's Strong Motto Gives Martin an Edge, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/26/sports/pro-basketball-mother-s-strong-motto-gives-martin-an-edge.html. WebGet the latest player news, stats, injury history and updates for Small Forward KJ Martin of the Houston Rockets on NBC Sports Edge. The dunk is for all the people who ever doubted him, everywhere. Its great pic.twitter.com/mYRRQLrtIF, Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 26, 2020. It can be quite demanding growing up in an NBA household, especially one where your fathers name carries so much weight. My son is there. I tell my son all the time, Im proud of him.. So, Martins favorite? Try a week on us. He is the father of three children. I try to let everything run its course also. Your job is to perform, and you cant ask for anything more. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. was born on December 30, 1977, in Saginaw, Michigan, to a single mother. Draft: New Jersey Nets, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2000 NBA Draft. Martin Jr. attended Sierra Canyon School in California, where he was WebMartin was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on December 30, 1977, to Lydia Moore, a single mother of two. I was kind of mad at myself., Martin Jr. was enrolled in a home school called Fusion Academy in Los Angeles. The multitude of pick and roll coverages that we have, the protection and where he needs to be. Nowadays, guys his size can play multiple positions so it works out for him. The main thing that is holding him back is just his body of work. Martin Jr. was listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN during his senior year, the 48th-best player at power forward nationally and 24th overall in California. Martin Sr. worried that his son might depart to go live with his mother after being punished. Not being scared of the moment just taking it in and playing hard. I had experience before, Martin said of small-ball big, But whatever Coach asks me to do, Im up for the challenge, regardless of what it is. Heres Martins summary from the Rookie Wire big board: Kenyon Martin Jr. tested well at the combine, recording a 3/4 sprint and max vert both well above-average for his position. But much like a mother that loves her children, it ultimately is too hard to single one out. Im ecstatic.. Martin Jr. initially planned to play at Vanderbilt, which is now coached by former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse, but had second thoughts about his decision when five-star recruit R.J. Hampton announced on ESPN that he was signing with the New Zealand Breakers of Australias National Basketball League instead of playing in college. Martin's first basketball mentor and surrogate father in Dallas, Ken Vick, had died after a long illness. He said he expects to decide where he will play professionally a week after his workout. He joins the Rockets after spending a year with the IMG Academys post-graduate team, averaging 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds this past season. He knows basketball is not a given.. Kenyon is looking forward to watching his son in a Houston Rockets uniform. ''I'm a laid-back guy who plays hard. Despite being a rookie who has only appeared in 22 games this season, Martins 31 dunks on the season have him just outside the leagues top 60. Nationality American Ethnicity Afro WebThe NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league. Former Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin woke up in a good mood on Thursday morning as the father of five kids was taking his 2-year-old daughter to Disneyland to celebrate her second birthday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. That work has already begun; this season, for example, Martin is only taking 1.1 threes a game but is shooting 40 percent on such shots. You average a double-double on two state championship teams and they have you ranked 237th? ''I love to compete at the highest level every time I step on the court. And every time Martin throws down a seismic dunk, he pulls his jersey aside and thumps his chest. In 2011, Martin became a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. Another untraditional route in his journey has been surviving as a second-round pick. Your job is to play basketball. My dad talked to me for a while about how he wanted me to get focused so I didnt have to worry about catching up my senior year, so I can play in college. '', See the article in its original context from. Martin Sr. told he supported his son's decision to skip college and go professional: "I just asked him was he sure. . Kenyon Martin #6 of the New Jeresy Nets talks to the press while his son, Kenyon Jr., plays with the microphone after Game four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at the Continental Airlines Arena on May 24, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I like how he plays superhard.. Martin founded The Kenyon Martin Foundation to support the families in need. In Houston, hes been asked to do a few things on that end: fill the lanes when necessary, spot up in the corners for spacing purposes and, interestingly enough, serve as a small-ball big. Talking a bit about his spouse, Adkins is an Indiana native raised by her folks Jenny (ne Speck) Adkins and Donovan Adkins. He plays in the NBA. The big thing is just getting up there, using my athleticism. He played alongside Scottie Pippen Jr. for Sierra Canyon School's He eventually decided to send his son back to playing basketball playing for an AAU team called Impact Elite over the summer. Cousins at the veteran minimum exception plus 1 more minimum and a contract for 2nd rd. They had him as a three-star, on one of the best teams, with some of the toughest basketball and hes not just on the team. One area he needs to become more comfortable is handling the ball. He's the guy who gets a lot of us going.''. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. K.J. Me being me nice and sugarcoating it is not helping you.. https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/25/rockets-announce-trade-for-kj-martin-jr-son-of-kenyon-martin/. In the same year, he was the Consensus first-team All-American. A lot of emotions go into that thought process. But since his last on-court transgression, on March 24, Martin has channeled his explosive emotions. No doubt, we need him like he's been all season. ''We worked very hard with Kenyon to get him to stay out of foul trouble,'' Huggins said. Now that we both came up here, when we get in the game, its just like the same stuff. Kenyon played in the NBA from 2000-2015, made the All-Rookie team in 2001 and was an All-Star in 2004. Birth Country West Hills, California Famous Name Kenyon Martin Jr. I was kind of embarrassed because they said they needed me. Martin's stuttering will always be a part of him, he said, just like the memories of the merciless teasing he endured as a child. Martin impressed over his 10-game stretch, averaging 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 31 minutes per game. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. The Sacramento Kings selected him with the 52nd pick, but he quickly made his way over to the Houston Rockets. Because it wasnt about me, its about him.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. My name, that name, doesnt mean anything, Kenyon said. We are going to show and prove, Martin told The Undefeated. ''That's kind of ironic.''. The more that I thought about it, I understood.
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