Ive seen a bunch of guys play in the NBA up close. Often, though, his teammates did not know how to reach him. The multitude of pick and roll coverages that we have, the protection and where he needs to be. When he got drafted that was a great step in the right direction.. His father, Kenyon Martin, was drafted first overall by the New Jersey Nets in 2000 and went on to stay in the league for 15 years. Just getting better at my whole game. I would have to see how Im feeling at the time but it would be a cool thing to do., Thats one of those deals where, as a scout and I was over there scouting him at the time you look at it and say he doesnt have the size like his dad, but he has the athleticism like and plays hard. He cant dribble. The 19-year-old is the son of Kenyon Martin, who was the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Kenyon Martin Jr. (left) had initially committed to Vanderbilt but will instead play professional basketball next season. It was just my route, he said. I couldnt go to any of the events the school had. reacts to being posterized by KJ Martin 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. The only personal thing known about Martin Jr is he is dating. Kenyon Martin: George Karl disrespected my mother with his Our communication is better. Obviously, defensive rotations help your team out but its a natural instinct from here, Martin said. But after getting a text from an old Nuggets teammate about some stinging words from their former coach George Karl, Martin as we plan to work out and review a number of players over the next couple of months before making any decisions. Me and Kevin being able to gel with each other, figure out each others game. KJ is beginning his career as a rookie forward with the Houston Rockets. He used that as fuel, because hes playing against these guys.. Its fun to play defense; I take pride in it. And he is willing to do it. Fans can get a glimpse at the players, coaches and officials competing to ascend to the NBA's rank. On her fathers side, she has two younger siblings. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Except for basketball, there is no news and information about him. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Its kind of sad. As a child, Martin was very shy, stuttered, and went to three high schools in four years. Everyone is up high; no one is down low. 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. Did you do that? It helps a lot. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 2023 FOX Television Stations. He is still 18. 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. 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. Theres more to him than meets the eye. 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. Hes on my back telling me what to do, but its to help me, 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.. I know its a risk not a lot of kids would take, but I just felt it was different. The wait continues for Michael Porter Jr. Kendrick Perkins on Kevin Durant: Finally, he got his own team. Further, he holds an American nationality and belongs to the Afro-American ethnic background. He had to work at it, developing his game as a freshman up until the summer of 1999 and the ensuing World University Games, where he helped the United States win the competition. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! ''No matter how bad the day is going, to see him smile would put a smile on anybody's face,'' Martin said. Martin impressed over his 10-game stretch, averaging 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 31 minutes per game. While Martin Jr. was initially going to play at Vanderbilt, he ultimately made the decision to spend a year playing professionally outside of the United States. The is aware of how to maintain his personal life far from the media's eyes. Martin Sr. worried that his son might depart to go live with his mother after being punished. With his athleticism, Silas is putting in two-man actions on the ball to generate downhill gravity and allow him to finish around the rim, where hes among the leagues best. The Houston Rockets on Wednesday announced their trade for Kenyon KJ Martin Jr., an athletic 19-year-old prospect drafted No. Martin is a well-known former American basketball player who played for 15 seasons in The NBA. I didnt have a father looking over my shoulder. 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. ''That's kind of ironic.''. He was born to parents, Kenyon Martin and Heather I was on a top freshman [basketball] list. PRO BASKETBALL; Mother's Strong Motto Gives Martin an Edge Kawhi Leonard and Paul George pull off ultimate power move. You earn your name and he did. Please check your email for a confirmation. He also came second in the NBA Rookie of the Year rating. Perhaps some of that progress takes longer than intended. Martin played in the NBA for 15 years and was a versatile power forward. ''I don't tell him to get mad,'' his mother said. He also learned a lot by watching his dad play. The oldest of Martin Sr.s five children has similar stunning athleticism to his father. Of course, Martin is not a finished product. The proud papa jumped to his feet holding his young daughter in celebration during one of many dunks to come for the Chaminade College Preparatory School sophomore forward. FILE: Kenyon Martin Jr. (L) of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers shares a moment with his father, Kenyon Martin Sr. (R), after their victory against the Etiwanda Eagles for the CIF State Regional Finals on March 17, 2018 in Long Beach, California. While last school year was painful for him, Martin Jr. feels that his dads action was a blessing for him in the long term. Birth Country West Hills, California Famous Name Kenyon Martin Jr. Houston is in the midst of a rebuild, one which will succeed or fail depending on how well its young pieces grow. His dad, of course, is Kenyon Martin Sr., the 15-year NBA veteran and former All-Star. 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. 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. If he throws me out there, Ill give 100 percent no matter what.. Since Martin held Jermaine O'Neal to 12 points and 3-of-11 shooting Monday in the Nets' 95-79 Game 2 victory, which tied the series, O'Neal has been slinging mud, claiming Martin and the Nets cannot guard him and promising retaliation. https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/25/rockets-announce-trade-for-kj-martin-jr-son-of-kenyon-martin/. I wasnt surprised. 1 pick in the 2000 NBA draft after spending four years at the University of Cincinnati. People walked away from the workout super shocked, like, Damn, I didnt know he could shoot it like that., Thats one of those deals where, as a scout and I was over there scouting him at the time you look at it and say he doesnt have the size like his dad, but he has the athleticism like and plays hard. He was excited to be on the court and his energy level showed it, Martin Sr. told The Undefeated. 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. Your job is to play basketball. Hes learned tendencies and close-out technique so the ball doesnt get to the middle of the floor.. We play at the highest level, so being focused, working on my body and being physically ready, he said. Both Steph and Seth sit atop the list of all-time shooters in terms of percentage. Curious about their moves, Martin Jr. called them both to ask about their decisions. ''If I see it getting out of hand with the referees, then I'm going to go off on them. Its fun. Martin Sr. worried that his son might depart to go live with his mother after being punished. Along with sharing a name, Kenyon Martin Jr. and his father share a similar style of play as well. Like father, like son: KJ Martin follows in his dad's footsteps I remember him playing hard and aggressive, Martin Jr. said. Thats just something I had with me here. Kenyon Martin has been married thrice. With Porter and Wall sidelined, rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. becomes a bankable building block in both redraft and daily fantasy competitions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He has a huge fan following across the globe due to his involvement in philanthropic activities. Kenyon Martin Jr.: Family & Career [2023 Update] - Players Bio Martin is reluctant to share family issues, but Moore could not contain herself when she found out that her family and Malone had an earlier connection. But Martin knows that is not Scott's way. But according to a former college teammate of Martin Sr., father and son share traits that transcend their differing paths Athleticism is the obvious one, but theres a stark similarity in their work ethic, toughness, willingness to play defense and on-court swagger. 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. 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.. He cant shoot. Terms of Use, Kenyon Martin Jr. announced for the 2020 NBA Draft. I love it, Kenyon said. He is the father of three children. I told Stackhouse, You cant send him somewhere if his heart is not in it. Martin's mother, Lydia Moore, has overcome discrimination, poverty and illness by shunning those who have mistreated her, and has reared two children by herself with her embracing love. In a recent hypothetical trade proposal from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, the writer had the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets swapping young talent. They also talked much more and directly. If he didnt do what he did before, Id probably still be in the same position. On the court, Martin's personality, inherited from his mother, is loud, defiant and prideful. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs.