Kenyon Martin Jr.: From High School Courts to the NBA
Kenyon Lee "KJ" Martin Jr. (born January 6, 2001) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin, KJ has carved his own path in the basketball world, showcasing his athleticism and developing skills.
Early Life and High School Career
Growing up in southern California, KJ Martin Jr. was immersed in the world of basketball from a young age. He started his high school journey at Oaks Christian High School as a freshman but did not play basketball during that year. Early in the school year, KJ Martin Jr was pulled out of Oaks Christian to be homeschooled. He then enrolled at Chaminade College Preparatory, where he began playing basketball as a sophomore, marking the beginning of his competitive basketball career.
Sierra Canyon School
Martin later transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, a school known for its strong basketball program. As a three-star recruit, Martin played alongside talented players like Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley. His time at Sierra Canyon was marked by significant progress and contributions to the team's success, helping his team win two California Open Division championships.
IMG Academy
Initially, Martin planned to play college basketball for Vanderbilt. However, he decided to forgo college and instead spend an extra year at IMG Academy to further develop his skills and prepare for a professional career. At IMG Academy, he averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game. People noticed his amazing athleticism. He scored 37 points at the National Prep Showcase. He also showed that his jump shot had gotten much better.
NBA Draft and Early Career
Kenyon Martin Jr.'s decision to skip college and enter the NBA draft generated considerable attention.
Read also: Understanding Kenyon's GPA System
Drafted by the Kings, Traded to the Rockets
On November 18, 2020, Martin's dream of playing in the NBA came true when he was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft with the 52nd overall pick. However, his time with the Kings was short-lived. A week later, on November 25, he was traded to the Houston Rockets.
Houston Rockets (2020-2023)
On November 30, the Rockets signed him to a four-year contract, officially beginning his NBA journey. Martin was activated by the Houston Rockets for the January 4, 2021, game against the Dallas Mavericks, then was inactive for one game before making his on-court NBA debut on January 8, 2021, vs. Orlando Magic. He scored 7 points in that game. On May 8, 2021, KJ scored his season-high of 27 points against the Utah Jazz.
During his time with the Rockets, Martin showcased his athleticism, versatility, and developing skillset. During the 2021-22 season, KJ played in 79 out of 82 games for the Rockets. He started in two of those games. On March 2, 2022, he scored a season-high 20 points against the Utah Jazz.
Before the 2022-23 season, Martin made a trade request to the Rockets with the desire of playing more minutes. However, he ended up becoming a full-time starter when another player, Eric Gordon, was traded in February 2023. KJ played in all 82 of the Rockets' games that season. He started in 49 of them. On November 25, 2022, he scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds. This helped his team win 128-122 against the Atlanta Hawks. On March 22, 2023, KJ scored a career-high 31 points against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers (2023)
On July 8, 2023, the Rockets traded KJ Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, his tenure with the Clippers was brief.
Read also: Kenyon College Football History
On November 1, 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Martin, Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington from the Clippers in exchange for James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev. The 76ers also got several draft picks and cash in the deal.
Utah Jazz (2025-Present)
On February 6, 2025, KJ Martin was traded to the Detroit Pistons. This trade also included two future second-round draft picks. Just a few hours later, he was traded again to the Utah Jazz.
NBA Statistics
Here are some of KJ Martin Jr.'s statistics from his time in the NBA. (Statistics need to be updated with official NBA data).
Personal Life
KJ Martin Jr. is the son of Kenyon Martin and Heather Martin. His father, Kenyon Martin, was the very first player picked in the 2000 NBA draft.
Read also: Kenyon College Financial Aid
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