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Kenyon Martin

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For his son and current basketball player, see Kenyon Martin Jr.

Kenyon Martin
Martin with the Nuggets in 2011
Personal information
Born (1977-12-30) December 30, 1977 (age 46)
Saginaw, Michigan
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High schoolBryan Adams (Dallas, Texas)
CollegeCincinnati (1996–2000)
NBA draft2000: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Selected by the New Jersey Nets
Playing career2000–2015
PositionPower forward
Number6, 4, 2, 3
Career history
2000–2004New Jersey Nets
2004–2011Denver Nuggets
2011Xinjiang Flying Tigers
2012Los Angeles Clippers
2013–2014New York Knicks
2015Milwaukee Bucks
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points9,325 (12.3 ppg)
Rebounds5,159 (6.8 rpg)
Assists1,439 (1.9 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Americas Championship
Gold medal – first place 2003 San Juan National team
Goodwill Games
Gold medal – first place 2001 Brisbane National team
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1999 Palma National team

Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. (born December 30, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a power forward, he played for the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA, and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of China. He played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats and was named the national college player of the year during his senior season. Martin was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was an NBA All-Star in 2004.

Early years

Martin was born in Saginaw, Michigan on December 30, 1977 to Lydia Moore, a single mother of two. He has a sister, Tamara, who is 3½ years older. Shortly after, the family moved south to the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, where Martin's mother worked two jobs. Later, Martin was often watched by his sister while their mother worked.[1]

Martin attended three high schools in four years, but he sought refuge in sports, playing basketball, baseball, and football. In high school, many major universities showed interest in his basketball prowess, but the University of Cincinnati and assistant coach John Loyer recruited him hardest after seeing him play AAU ball after his junior year. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas in 1996 (he was named to the school's hall of fame in 2009).[2]

College career

Martin went to the University of Cincinnati and played for the Cincinnati Bearcats under the direction of head coach Bob Huggins. He was homesick early in his freshman year and actually took a bus back home to Dallas. His mother and his older sister, who by then were both working two jobs and attending college, steered him to return to finish college.[2]

By Martin's junior year, he led Cincinnati to a 27-6 record and was named second-team All-Conference USA and, in the summer following, he led the U.S. team to the gold medal in the World University Games, leading the team in scoring and rebounding.

As a senior in 1999–2000, Martin averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game during a season in which the Bearcats were ranked #1 for 12 weeks. That season, he recorded his second triple double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocks vs. Memphis (in 1997, he recorded 24/23/10 vs. DePaul). Martin was the consensus National Player of the Year, earning numerous awards from various organizations, and the team was ranked #1 in the nation at the conclusion of the regular season. However, Martin suffered a broken leg three minutes into the Bearcats' first game of the Conference USA Tournament, keeping him out of the NCAA Tournament that year. The team finished with a record of 29-4.

Martin remains the Bearcats' all-time leader in career blocked shots (292) and field goal percentage (.586). Cincinnati retired his #4 jersey on April 25, 2000. Later that year, he was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. As of 2019, Martin remains the last American-born college senior to have been the top overall pick.

Martin graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.[3]

Professional career

New Jersey Nets (2000–2004)

As a rookie for the New Jersey Nets, Martin averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished second in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year. In his second season, Martin averaged 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in helping the Nets rise from last place in the Atlantic Division to an Eastern Conference title and the best season to date in the Nets' NBA history. Along with Jason Kidd, Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn and Richard Jefferson, Martin led the Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his third season Martin again helped his team into the NBA finals, where the Nets lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. The next year, Martin averaged 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks en route to his first NBA All-Star selection, as a backup forward for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. In the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Martin scored 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 assists.

Martin and teammate Alonzo Mourning almost fought when Martin mocked Mourning's life-threatening kidney disease.[4] Martin later admitted that he had made a mistake and apologized to Mourning. On an episode of the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Martin told Brandon Scoop B Robinson that Mourning thought that Martin should have been working as hard as he was in morning shootarounds, but he was never a shootaround guy.[5] Martin now participates in Mourning's annual charity basketball game (see below "Off the court").

Denver Nuggets (2004–2011)

Kenyon Martin shooting over Dirk Nowitzki

At the end of the 2003–04 season, Martin was traded to the Denver Nuggets for three future first-round draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.

Martin played in 70 games during the 2004–05 season, averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds; however, a problem with his knee was detected shortly into the off-season, and on May 16, 2005, Kenyon underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee.

During the 2005–06 season, Martin missed 26 games due to knee tendinitis, but was able to return in time for the playoffs. During that playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Martin was suspended from the Denver Nuggets indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team."[6] During halftime of game two of the first round series, Martin got into an argument with head coach George Karl over his playing time, and refused to play for the second half of the game. During the offseason, Karl and Martin apparently "patched things up."[7]

Believing injuries were behind him, Martin learned the swelling now occurring in his right knee would require another microfracture procedure. On November 15, 2006, after playing two regular season games, Martin underwent his second knee operation in less than two years.[8] Martin is believed to be the first NBA player to have, and to return from, microfracture surgery on both knees.[9]

Martin was fined $15,000 by the NBA when, during the third quarter of a 2006 game against the Chicago Bulls, Martin as well as some of his friends got into a verbal altercation with some fans. He was also cautioned to no longer bring his entourage to games.[10][11]

To symbolize a fresh start to his career, Kenyon changed his uniform number from 6 to the number 4, which he wore in college, for the 2007–08 season.[12]

Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2011)

Martin became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2011; however, due to the 2011 NBA lockout, he opted to sign a one-year contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. His contract reportedly would have made him the highest paid player in the Chinese league's history.[13][14] On December 24, 2011, Martin was released from the club so that he could "take care of family affairs".[15] Martin was initially not allowed to return to the NBA until the Flying Tigers' season ended on February 15, 2012, if not later due to the 2012 CBA Playoffs. However, the FIBA granted him an earlier release on February 2.[16]

Los Angeles Clippers (2012)

On February 3, 2012, Martin signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.[17] In his first game with the Clippers, Martin scored 6 points and collected four rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

New York Knicks (2013–2014)

On February 21, 2013, Martin agreed to join the New York Knicks on a 10-day contract, which reunited him with Jason Kidd.[18] He officially joined the team on February 23.[19] He was signed to a second 10-day contract on March 5,[20] and signed for the remainder of the season on March 15.[21] Upon his signing, he provided a large amount of help to a Knicks team that was depleted in the frontcourt, replacing Tyson Chandler, who was out with a neck injury, in the Knicks' starting lineup. On July 25, 2013, Martin re-signed with the Knicks for the 2013–14 season.[22]

Milwaukee Bucks (2015)

On January 9, 2015, Martin signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.[23] He went on to sign a second 10-day contract on January 19,[24] and a rest-of-season contract on January 29.[25] Martin's final NBA game was on February 2nd, 2015 in a 82 - 75 win over the Toronto Raptors where Martin recorded 4 points and 3 rebounds. On February 19, 2015, he was waived by the Bucks.[26]

On July 3, 2015, Martin announced his retirement from professional basketball.[27]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2000–01 New Jersey 68 68 33.4 .445 .091 .630 7.4 1.9 1.1 1.7 12.0
2001–02 New Jersey 73 73 34.3 .463 .224 .678 5.3 2.6 1.2 1.7 14.9
2002–03 New Jersey 77 77 34.1 .470 .209 .653 8.3 2.4 1.3 .9 16.7
2003–04 New Jersey 65 62 34.6 .488 .280 .684 9.5 2.5 1.5 1.3 16.7
2004–05 Denver 70 67 32.5 .490 .000 .646 7.3 2.4 1.4 1.1 15.5
2005–06 Denver 56 49 27.6 .495 .227 .712 6.3 1.4 .8 .9 12.9
2006–07 Denver 2 2 31.5 .500 .000 .250 10.0 .5 .0 .0 9.5
2007–08 Denver 71 71 30.4 .538 .182 .580 6.5 1.3 1.2 1.2 12.4
2008–09 Denver 66 66 32.0 .491 .368 .604 6.0 2.0 1.5 1.1 11.7
2009–10 Denver 58 58 34.2 .456 .276 .557 9.4 1.9 1.2 1.1 11.5
2010–11 Denver 48 48 25.7 .511 .222 .583 6.2 2.3 .9 .7 8.6
2011–12 L.A. Clippers 42 0 22.4 .441 .231 .370 4.3 .4 1.0 1.0 5.2
2012–13 New York 18 11 23.9 .602 — .425 5.3 .4 .9 .9 7.2
2013–14 New York 32 15 19.8 .512 .000 .579 4.2 1.6 .8 .8 4.3
2014–15 Milwaukee 11 0 9.5 .409 — 1.000 1.7 .5 .5 .5 1.8
Career 757 667 30.6 .483 .234 .629 6.8 1.9 1.2 1.1 12.3
All-Star 1 0 23.0 .800 .000 .500 7.0 3.0 .0 .0 17.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2002 New Jersey 20 20 37.5 .424 .222 .691 5.8 2.9 1.2 1.3 16.8
2003 New Jersey 20 20 38.9 .453 .091 .693 9.4 2.9 1.5 1.6 18.9
2004 New Jersey 11 11 37.2 .533 .000 .750 11.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 19.1
2005 Denver 5 5 32.8 .466 .000 .615 5.6 1.2 1.0 1.0 12.4
2006 Denver 2 0 17.5 .308 — .500 4.5 .5 2.0 1.0 4.5
2008 Denver 4 4 29.5 .441 — .625 6.3 1.3 1.0 .5 8.8
2009 Denver 16 16 33.6 .497 .200 .657 5.9 2.1 1.1 .9 10.9
2010 Denver 6 6 34.2 .480 .000 .632 8.3 1.3 1.5 1.2 10.0
2011 Denver 5 5 29.6 .480 — .611 7.8 1.6 .4 .4 11.8
2012 L.A. Clippers 11 0 17.5 .524 — .625 3.2 .3 .4 1.7 4.5
2013 New York 12 1 21.1 .580 — .550 4.5 .9 .8 1.4 5.8
Career 112 88 32.0 .470 .129 .679 6.8 1.8 1.1 1.2 12.9

CBA

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Xinjiang Flying Tigers 12 11 29.9 .521 .000 .613 9.7 1.8 .8 .6 13.9

Personal life

Martin is the half-brother of former Colorado Buffaloes shooting guard Richard Roby. He is also the cousin of Robert "50" Martin of AND1 Mixtape Tour fame.[citation needed]

Martin's son, Kenyon Martin Jr., played his postgraduate year for the IMG Academy after graduating from the Sierra Canyon School.[28] On March 24, 2020, his son declared for the 2020 NBA draft[29][30] and was selected 52nd overall by the Sacramento Kings.

In 2019, Martin requested that his child support obligations be reduced to reflect his lower income since the end of his NBA career. He stated that his current obligations, which included paying his ex-wife Heather $3,000 per month in child support, plus "additional child support" of $7,000 per month in credit card bills, a new car for Heather every three years and private school fees for the children, were no longer affordable.[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ Serby, Steve (April 20, 2013). "Serby's Saturday Q & A with... Kenyon Martin". NYPOST.com. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Martin's will not broken".
  3. ^ "Sports Law Blog". Sports-law.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  4. ^ ESPN - Retirement necessary after three-year battle - NBA
  5. ^ "Kenyon Martin Once Told Alonzo Mourning: 'worry about your own mother f****** kids' during altercation In Nets Practice". RESPECT Magazine. September 5, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  6. ^ "Martin suspended : Nuggets : The Rocky Mountain News". Archived from the original on April 5, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  7. ^ "Kenyon Martin needs another knee surgery". USA Today. November 16, 2006.
  8. ^ Surgery benches Martin for season
  9. ^ NBA Microfracture History
  10. ^ Sports Law Blog
  11. ^ "Dino Costa – Tag Story Index – USATODAY.com". USA Today. October 16, 2008.
  12. ^ Spears, Marc J. (August 8, 2007). "Martin confident he'll play in opener". Denver Post.
  13. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (September 22, 2011). "Nuggets' Kenyon Martin to sign largest contract in Chinese league's history". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  14. ^ "Kenyon Martin to ink Chinese league's biggest deal ever". AOL Sporting News. Sporting News. September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  15. ^ Kenyon, we hardly knew ye
  16. ^ Shelburne, Ramona (February 2, 2012). "Source: Clippers interested in Martin". ESPNLosAngeles.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012.
  17. ^ CLIPPERS SIGN KENYON MARTIN
  18. ^ "Martin & Knicks Agree To Terms, The Latest On The Deal". Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  19. ^ "Knicks sign Kenyon Martin to 10-day contract". Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Knicks sign Kenyon Martin to second 10-day contract". Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  21. ^ Knicks Sign Martin For Remainder Of Season Archived March 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Veteran forward Martin re-signs with Knicks
  23. ^ "Bucks Sign Kenyon Martin to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  24. ^ Bucks Sign Martin to Second 10-Day Contract
  25. ^ Bucks Sign Martin for Remainder of Season
  26. ^ "Bucks Acquire Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  27. ^ Kenyon Martin: I'm retiring from professional basketball
  28. ^ "Kenyon Martin says his son has made a choice on his basketball future". usatoday.com. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  29. ^ Timothy Rapp (March 24, 2020). "Kenyon Martin Jr. Declares for 2020 NBA Draft, Will Skip College". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  30. ^ Adrian Wojnarowski (March 24, 2020). "Kenyon Martin Jr., son of longtime NBA player, declares for draft". ESPN. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  31. ^ "Former NBA Star Kenyon Martin Fights to Lower Child Support Payments to Reflect His Post-NBA Income". Yahoo News. July 16, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
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