Kenyon Martin Bio

Kenyon Lee Martin was born on December 30th, 1977. He is an American retired professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. The 6’9″ power forward played college basketball for Cincinnati before being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. Kenyon would join Trilogy of the BIG3 Basketball League; Trilogy would go on to be the league’s inaugural champions.

Kenyon Martin Early Life

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 3 1/2 years older. Shortly after, the family moved south to the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, where she worked two jobs. Later, Kenyon was often watched by his sister while their mother worked.

He stuttered as a child and 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).

Kenyon Martin College career

He 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. But his mother, as well as his older sister, who by then were working two jobs and attending college, steered him to return to finish college.[2]

By the time he was a junior, 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, he 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.

He 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, Martin was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. Martin is currently the last American-born college senior to have been the top overall pick.

Kanyon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

Kenyon Martin Family

Mattin Kanyon is married to Shakira Watson. They got married in 2016. Additionally, he has three children Kenyon Martin Jr, Cierra Reign Martin, Kamron Martin.

Kanyon Martin Age

He was born on December 30, 1977. He is currently 41 years.

Kenyon Martin Professional career

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 helping the Nets rise from the last place in the Atlantic Division to an Eastern Conference title. Later in 2002, he led the Nets to the NBA Finals. In his third season, Martin led his team to the NBA finals. 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.

Denver Nuggets

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.

Believing injuries were behind him. Martin learned the swelling now occurring in his right knee. This would require another microfracture surgery. On November 15, 2006, after two seasons. Martin underwent his second knee operation in less than two years. Furthermore, he is the first NBA player to have, and to return from, microfracture surgery on both knees.

Martin was fined $15,000 by the NBA when. During the third quarter of the 2006 game against the Chicago Bulls. Martin got into a verbal fight with some fans. He was also warned against bringing his anger to games.

Additionally, in the 2007–08 season. Kenyon changed his jersey from 6 to number 4. He said this symbolized a fresh start to his career,

Xinjiang Flying Tigers

Furthermore, in 2011, Martin became a free agent. He signed a one-year contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. His contract reportedly would have made him the highest paid player in the Chinese league’s history. On 24th December 2011, Martin was released from the club so that he could “take care of family affairs”. However, he was not allowed to return to the NBA until the Flying Tigers’ season ended.

Los Angeles Clippers

Martin scored 6 points for the Los Angeles Clippers In his first game. Additionally, he collected four rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

New York Knicks

On February 21, 2013, Martin agreed to join the New York Knicks on a 10-day contract. Furthermore, he signed for the remainder of the season on March 15. Upon his signing, he provided a large amount of help to a Knicks team. He replaced Tyson Chandler. He was out with a neck injury. in the Knicks’ starting lineup. On 25th July 2013, For the 2013–14 season Martin re-signed with the Knicks.

Milwaukee Bucks

On January 9, 2015, Martin signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. He went on to sign a second 10-day contract on January 19, and a rest-of-season contract on January 29. On February 19, 2015, he was waived by the Bucks.

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

Kenyon Martin Philanthropic endeavors

Martin started The Kenyon Martin Foundation to provide for families in need. According to the foundation’s website, organizations receiving grants include All for One and One for All, American Institute for Stuttering, Bryan Adams High School, Colorado HAWKS (Hard At Work Kids) to “create an opportunity and an alternative to gangs for at-risk, disadvantaged youth”, The Children’s Museum of Denver, Denver Rescue Mission, Ludacris Foundation Helping Youth Help Themselves initiative, SafeHaven of Tarrant County domestic violence shelter for women, The Salvation Army, The Bridge Project, Third Way Center “providing mental health treatment in a residential setting for troubled teens”, and Warren Village that helps “low-income single-parent families achieve sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency.” The foundation also runs the Hoops for Kids Basketball camp.

Since 2005, he has been active in support of the non-profit The Stuttering Foundation of America. In 2008, he received the Freeing Voices, Changing Lives Leadership Award. Kanyon has served as an Honorary Ambassador for the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter. This is to raise awareness about premature birth. He plays in the annual The Summer Groove in Miami. A charity event benefitting Alonzo Mourning Charities and Dwyane Wade’s World Foundation. He also supports Special Olympics.

Martin has also been involved in philanthropic activities. He has donated $1,000 for each point and blocked shot in two games for the Asian tsunami relief efforts. buying the occasional home game ticket for less financially fortunate fans. and participating in the number of campaigns like “Eat Right” and “Art of Sport.”