1 pick in the 2000 NBA draft after spending four years at the University of Cincinnati. ''To be strong and to be there for one another. It wasnt something that was far-fetched. Im his dad, but I tell people this now, if I was just going to watch a basketball game and he wasnt my son and he was playing in it, I like what I see. Martin is a well-known former American basketball player who played for 15 seasons in The NBA. You can play on both ends of the floor., My timing, Martin said of how he does it. In 2016, he got married to his third wife, Shakira Watson. Former NBA No. ''We worked very hard with Kenyon to get him to stay out of foul trouble,'' Huggins said. forgoing college to play professionally right away. This is his career. 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. Martin has been described as arguably the best athlete in the draft and he did much better on the shooting drills than many expected, shooting 71% in the3-point endurance drill. https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/25/rockets-announce-trade-for-kj-martin-jr-son-of-kenyon-martin/. It was the blind leading the blind, figuring it out on the fly. He has a sister, Tamara, who is 3 years older. That frame and its raw potential are what make him one of the core pieces in the Rockets rebuild. No doubt, we need him like he's been all season. K.J. Martin impressed over his 10-game stretch, averaging 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 31 minutes per game. My son is there. That's the way our family has always been.''. , The synopsis is people just dont know what he is capable of doing on the basketball floor. The one shown above would be a solid choice, between a worthy victim (John Collins) as well as the importance of it coming during a furious fourth-quarter comeback. 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. The son of former No 1 pick in the NBA draft making a name for himself in the league with Houston Rockets. But Kenyon Martin Sr. is actually more proud of his maturing sons newfound success in the classroom than what he is doing on the court. Im ecstatic.. November 8th 2022 at 11:01am CST by Luke Adams Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. is becoming more amenable to the idea of continuing his career in Houston, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, who hears from sources that Martin is open to signing a contract extension with the team. I would prefer him to be here than on a team where the oldest guy is 26. Kenyon Martin: Status up in air for Friday. '', See the article in its original context from. He has a sister, Tamara, who is 3 years older. My timing, Martin said of how he does it. ''We all have our flaws. Just this week, Silas praised a wide range of the rookies traits, from his ability to defend in multiple schemes to his shooting and ball handling as well as soft skills like learning, listening and the application of knowledge. He knows there are areas of his game to develop ahead of Year 2, and hes already made a shortlist of what to address. I wasnt surprised. Who is Kenyon Martin Jr? The former couple agreed on a contract where Kenyon paying $3,000 a month in child support, which Kenyon wants to revise based on his current income. Martin Jr., meanwhile, took the less-traveled route, opting against fulfilling a college commitment to Vanderbilt in favor of a post-graduate year at IMG Academy en route to getting picked 52nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. I remember his energy the most, he said. #Rockets rookie guard @kj_martin, says having a dad (Kenyon Martin), who played 15 years in the NBA, has helped him get where he is today: Its great. Martin lives by his mother's motto, which has emboldened him this season, his second in the National Basketball Association with the Nets. Of course, Martin is not a finished product. Me and Kevin being able to gel with each other, figure out each others game. I couldnt go to any of the events the school had. So Im proud and happy for him. About Us Along with learning from his father, gaining experience overseas helped better ready him for the NBA. Thats what I want to do. As a child, Martin was very shy, stuttered, and went to three high schools in four years. I just asked him was he sure, Martin Sr. said. But that has also never deterred him. Ive always played basketball, and thats all Ive wanted to do, Martin Jr. told ESPNs The Undefeated. Theres a certain art to dunking, one that separates itself from a crazy stepback or a flashy pass. Kenyon Martin - Basketball-Reference.com He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. I love it that he wants to have his own identitybecause his game is different than mine, Kenyon said. Watch the film and get ready for the next season.. Even though they are slightly undersized for the power forward position, they make up for it in athleticism and toughness. Martin supports several non-profit organizations that help the poor and children. Its one of those feelings that you really cant put into words, Kenyon said. Martin (undisclosed) isn't listed on the Rockets' injury report for Friday's game against the Hornets. He is the father of three children. She is an original cast member of the reality television series The Real Housewives of Miami, appearing since its premiere in 2011. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! Far from it. What's more, in 2016, Martin Jr's father tied the knot with his girlfriend, Shakira Watson on a luxurious yacht off the coast of Miami, where the bride walked down the aisle in a black dress and veil, dismissing the usual white option. Me and Kevin being able to gel with each other, figure out each others game. Being born on 30 December 1977, Kenyon Martin is 45 years old as of todays date 1st May 2023. I process it on the fly. WebHow old is Kenyon Martin Jr.? Youre gonna see a lot of me cheering him on. Opponents understand Martin has given the Nets a newfound toughness. I love him in a situation where the guys have double-digit years in.. The son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin Sr., Martin Jr. has declared for the 2020 NBA draft. Just getting better at my whole game. Please check your email for a confirmation. I let him know everything that goes into this decision. Not being scared of the moment just taking it in and playing hard. Think Bruce Browns role in Brooklyn playing with James Harden (didnt mean to trigger your PTSD). Im extremely, extremely proud of him and happy for him.. ''I tell him, 'Play your heart out.' Martin Jr., who has yet to hire an agent, has been working on shooting off the dribble quicker, strength training, finishing creatively at the rim and being more versatile. KENYON MARTIN JR. DUNKED ALL OVER JOHN COLLINS pic.twitter.com/bN40cXA78R, Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2021. Kenyon is looking forward to watching his son in a Houston Rockets uniform. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. He said he expects to decide where he will play professionally a week after his workout. 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. So, Martins favorite? 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. I took it personal, Martin Jr. said. In 2000, Martin won the NABC Defensive Player of the Year Award and Conference USA Player of the Year Award. And I think hes on the right team. The is aware of how to maintain his personal life far from the media's eyes. Did you do this? Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. 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). A year from now if I get drafted, it will be a dream come true.. He told me that you can be cool off the court, but when you step over the line it is real serious business. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. If youre reading this, youve probably seen one of Kenyon Martin Jr.s viral dunks this season. Anything he can think to do, Ive done it.. Even in the last month, Martin and his family said they felt that Scott was not doing enough to help Martin by arguing with officials, or by fighting as hard for him as Martin plays for him on the court. Be the first one to comment on this story. For me, I felt like it was good and for him also being on the same team and coming up together., Hes impressed in a lot of different aspects, Silas added. He kept the same outlook when he was drafted late in the second round, and again when he was sent down to the G League bubble to play with the Rio Grande Vipers to get comfortable with reps, minutes and Rockets head coach Stephen Silas system. Further, NBA Scouting prospects him for being in 2nd round to undrafted. In 2000, he was named National college player of the year. He knows the game very well. It couldnt be better for him. Maybe you know about Kenyon Martin very well, but do you know how old and tall is he and what is his net worth in 2023? Regarding his physique, he stands 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall and weighs 215 lb (98 kg). Martin Jr. is back playing basketball, starting on the varsity team as a 15-year-old 6-foot-6 sophomore. His sister often watched him while their mom worked two jobs to make ends meet. She rejoined the show in 2021. Advertise with us She taught Martin and his sister, Tamara, to be generous and tolerant but never to show weakness. Whether its switching onto small guys containing the basketball, helping and getting those amazing blocked shots, rebounding above the fray. It was laziness, Martin Jr. told The Undefeated. ''I hate losing,'' he said. I talked to both to ask them what they were thinking, and we all kind of have the same mindset in what we want to accomplish.. Its his own identity. In 2011, he signed a contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, which made him the highest-paid player in the Chinese leagues history. '', Moore has a collage of Martin's worst faces, she said. They watched a lot of basketball together with the elder passing on knowledge of the game. Now that Im in this situation, he gives me my space, but hes also still there for me when I ask for help, Martin Jr. says. Im very proud, Kenyon said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. I like how he plays superhard.. 1 pick landed an All-Star nomination in 2004. In a recent hypothetical trade proposal from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, the writer had the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets swapping young talent. Martin produced 15 points (6-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt), seven rebounds and one assist in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 123-114 loss to the Nets. 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. Martin Sr. responded strongly and swiftly by taking his son out of Oaks Christian School after the first semester. He cant shoot. Why doubt him now? Martin's first basketball mentor and surrogate father in Dallas, Ken Vick, had died after a long illness. Moore has recently dealt with Bell's palsy and she thought she might have had a stroke in October. He had his own trainer, and mostly picked up lessons from Martin Sr. and his NBA teammates through observation. It was good for me just to get those game reps, Martin said. I try to let everything run its course also. 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.