Alijah Martin Bio
Alijah Randall Edwin Martin is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he plays on a two-way contract that also assigns him to the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 210 pounds, he plays the shooting guard position and wears jersey number 55. A native of Mississippi, Martin rose to national attention as a college standout before being selected in the 2025 NBA draft and beginning his professional career in Toronto.
Early Life and Background
Alijah Martin was born on December 26, 2001, in Summit, Mississippi, a small community in the southwestern part of the state. He grew up in Pike County and attended North Pike High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete with a reputation for toughness and competitiveness. Summit and the surrounding region are known for producing athletic talent, and Martin became one of the most decorated high school players in the area during his prep career.
Beyond basketball, Martin played football at North Pike, serving as his team’s quarterback. In his senior season, he passed for 2,100 yards and rushed for 1,300 yards, demonstrating the dual-threat athleticism and court vision that would later translate to his guard play on the hardwood. On the basketball court that same year, he averaged 25.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the state of Mississippi.
Path to Basketball
Martin committed to playing college basketball for Florida Atlantic, joining the Owls program and beginning a developmental path that would eventually carry him to the highest level of the sport. His senior season production drew attention from college recruiters, and his decision to attend Florida Atlantic allowed him to grow within a program that was building toward national relevance.
After playing sparingly as a freshman for the Owls, Martin broke out as a sophomore, averaging 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while earning all-conference third-team recognition. The following season he averaged 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, helping lead Florida Atlantic to the school’s first-ever Final Four appearance. In his final year with the Owls he averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game before entering the transfer portal, capping his Florida Atlantic tenure as one of the program’s most accomplished players in recent memory.
Alijah Martin Career
Early Career (2020–2024)
Martin’s college career began with the Florida Atlantic Owls, where he spent four seasons developing into a reliable scoring guard. After a quiet freshman year, he quickly became a central figure in the Owls lineup, earning Third-team All-C-USA honors in 2022 as a sophomore. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and perimeter defense made him a key piece of Florida Atlantic’s rise in Conference USA.
As a junior, Martin elevated his game to help lead Florida Atlantic to the program’s first Final Four, capping a historic postseason run for the Owls. He was named First-team All-C-USA in 2023 and was also honored as the C-USA tournament MVP that same season, further cementing his status as one of the top guards in the conference.
Florida Gators Era (2024–2025)
In April 2024, Martin announced his decision to transfer to the University of Florida, joining the Gators as a senior. He made an immediate impact, emerging as Florida’s starting shooting guard and providing veteran leadership for a team with championship aspirations. His arrival gave the Gators a proven scorer and a player with deep postseason experience.
Martin wasted little time showcasing his ability in a Florida uniform. In a game against Southern Illinois, he recorded 32 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, leading the Gators to a 93–68 victory. He was named Second-team All-AAC in 2024, recognizing his production in his first season in the new conference.
Toronto Raptors Era (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, Martin was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. The pick capped a long development arc that began in Summit, Mississippi, and rewarded Martin’s combination of experience, defensive toughness, and scoring punch. On July 10, 2025, the Toronto Raptors announced that they had signed Martin to a two-way contract, pairing his NBA roster spot with developmental minutes for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.
His early professional career has been defined by a steady role within the Raptors organization, where he has continued to refine his shooting guard skills. Martin was also named to the All-NBA G League Third Team in 2026, recognition that highlighted his contributions during his assignment with the Raptors 905.
Playing Style and Strengths
Martin is known for a hard-nosed, defense-first style of play combined with efficient scoring from the shooting guard position. His experience as a high school quarterback translates to strong court vision and passing instincts, while his rebounding numbers for his position reflect an aggressive, physical approach. He is comfortable operating as a secondary scorer, knocking down perimeter shots, and using his strength to defend opposing guards at a high level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martin’s most significant milestone came in 2025, when he helped lead the Florida Gators to the NCAA Championship, the third national title in program history. He also guided Florida Atlantic to the program’s first-ever Final Four in 2023, was named C-USA tournament MVP the same year, and earned First-team All-C-USA, Second-team All-AAC, and Third-team All-C-USA honors across his college career. He was selected 39th overall in the 2025 NBA draft and was named to the All-NBA G League Third Team in 2026.
Alijah Martin Career Wins
While individual game-level win totals are not fully cataloged in available records, Alijah Martin’s career has been defined by championship-level team success. He captured an NCAA Championship with the Florida Gators in 2025 and helped lead the Florida Atlantic Owls to the Final Four in 2023, two of the most significant achievements in each program’s recent history. He also earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors in 2026.
NCAA Highlights
Martin’s NCAA résumé is anchored by the 2025 national title run with Florida, where he played a key role as the starting shooting guard. In the Final Four against Auburn, he scored 17 points in a 79–73 victory, and in the National Championship Game against Houston he tallied seven points as the Gators secured the program’s third national championship. His 32-point performance against Southern Illinois during the season stood as one of the year’s top individual showings.
Conference and Tournament Honors
Across his college career, Martin earned Third-team All-C-USA in 2022, First-team All-C-USA in 2023, C-USA tournament MVP honors in 2023, and Second-team All-AAC in 2024. These recognitions reflect a steady arc of improvement and consistent production against top competition.
Alijah Martin Family
Personal Life
In 2026, Martin got engaged to Toronto beautician Sophie Mae Jones. The couple’s engagement was reported as Martin continued his professional career with the Raptors organization in Toronto. Limited additional public information is available regarding his broader family background or personal life details outside of his engagement.
2025 Season Performance
Martin’s 2025 season began with his senior campaign at the University of Florida, where he stepped into the starting shooting guard role and helped lead the Gators to a national championship. His 32-point outing against Southern Illinois and his 17-point performance in the Final Four against Auburn highlighted his scoring punch, while his seven points in the title game against Houston contributed to Florida’s third NCAA Championship.
Following the title run, Martin declared for the 2025 NBA draft and was selected 39th overall by the Toronto Raptors. He signed a two-way contract with the organization, splitting his time between the Raptors and the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. His early professional minutes allowed him to translate his college form to the next level while continuing to develop his game under the Raptors’ system.
By the close of his first professional season, Martin had earned All-NBA G League Third Team recognition in 2026, an early signal that his two-way role was producing results. The combination of an NCAA title, a draft selection, and a G League honor made 2025 one of the most consequential years of his basketball career, and positioned him as a young player to watch within the Toronto organization heading into his next season.
