Esmery Martinez Bio
Esmery Martínez (born 1 May 2000) is a Dominican professional basketball player who plays as a forward. She was selected by the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, becoming the first Dominican-born player ever chosen in the league’s draft. Martínez has represented the Dominican Republic in international competition and has continued her career in both the WNBA and overseas leagues.
Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), Martínez built her reputation as a strong rebounder and interior presence during her college career at West Virginia and Arizona. After going through the WNBA draft process, she signed with Flammes Carolo Basket of the Ligue Féminine de Basketball in France before re-signing with the Liberty in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Esmery Martínez was born on 1 May 2000 in Hato Mayor del Rey, Dominican Republic. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, she developed an early passion for basketball and quickly grew into one of the most promising frontcourt players from her country.
For her high school career, Martínez attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a program known for producing collegiate talent. Across her high school career, she averaged 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.9 blocks per game, showing the rebounding and shot-blocking instincts that would later define her game. She helped Hamilton Heights finish as the runner-up at the 2018 Geico High School Nationals Tournament and was named to the all-tournament team.
Path to Basketball
Martínez’s path to top-level basketball ran through the U.S. high school system, where her size and instincts drew attention from college recruiters. Her performance at Hamilton Heights, including her play on the national tournament stage, positioned her as a priority recruit heading into college.
She committed to West Virginia, beginning her college basketball career during the 2019–20 season. As a freshman, she played in all 29 games and averaged 5.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, earning valuable experience and a starting role heading into her sophomore year. By her second season, she had developed into a double-double threat, signaling her readiness for higher levels of competition.
Esmery Martinez Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Martínez played three seasons at West Virginia from 2019 to 2022, gradually expanding her role. During her freshman year, she served as a rotational forward, contributing on the boards and developing her defensive presence. By her sophomore campaign in 2020–21, she started all 29 games and averaged a double-double with 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, finishing with a team-high 335 rebounds, the fifth-most in program history. That performance earned her first-team All-Big 12 honors.
In her junior year in 2021–22, Martínez started 28 games, averaging 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game, and was named second-team All-Big 12. On 5 April 2022, she entered the NCAA transfer portal, briefly signed with LSU on 24 April 2022, and then transferred to Arizona on 4 May 2022 to continue her career in the Pac-12.
West Virginia Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Martínez’s breakthrough came during the 2020–21 season at West Virginia, when she transformed from a role player into a dominant interior force. Her double-double averages and rebounding totals placed her among the top performers in school history, and her first-team All-Big 12 selection marked her as one of the top frontcourt players in the conference.
Arizona Era (2022–2024)
At Arizona, Martínez continued to develop as a versatile forward. During the 2022–23 season, she started all 32 games and averaged 10.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Her 274 rebounds ranked eighth-most in a single season in program history, and she finished second in the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds with 97. She was named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and a top-ten finalist for the Katrina McClain Award. After initially declaring for the 2023 WNBA draft, she withdrew and returned to Arizona for a fifth year.
As a graduate student in 2023–24, Martínez played in 33 games with 32 starts, averaging 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. She earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honorable mention and a media All-Pac-12 selection, reinforcing her two-way impact.
New York Liberty Era (2024–Present)
On 15 April 2024, Martínez was drafted in the second round, 17th overall, by the New York Liberty, becoming the first Dominican-born player selected in WNBA draft history. On 13 May 2024, she was waived by the Liberty before signing with Flammes Carolo Basket in France on 19 June 2024. After her European season, she left Flammes Carolo in April 2025 by activating her release clause. On 1 February 2025, Martínez signed a training camp contract with the Liberty, returning to the franchise that originally drafted her.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martínez’s game is built around rebounding, interior defense and efficient scoring around the basket. Her size and timing make her an effective shot-blocker and post defender, while her offensive rebounding gives her team second-chance opportunities. She has shown steady improvement as a passer and perimeter defender, rounding out her forward skill set at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
A defining milestone came in April 2024 when Martínez became the first Dominican-born player ever selected in the WNBA draft, a moment that elevated her profile back home. Her 2020–21 season at West Virginia, when she finished with the fifth-most rebounds in program history, also stands out as a signature campaign, along with her 274-rebound season at Arizona in 2022–23, which ranked eighth in school history.
Esmery Martinez Career Wins
Martínez’s career is still in its early professional stage, and her most decorated achievements have come in the college ranks and on the international stage. Her selection in the 2024 WNBA draft and her signing with a top European club reflect her growing list of accomplishments.
College and International Highlights
Martínez earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2021 and second-team All-Big 12 in 2022 during her time at West Virginia. At Arizona, she was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2023 and earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honorable mention and an All-Pac-12 media selection in 2024. Internationally, she debuted for the Dominican Republic at the 2018 FIBA Caribbean Women’s Championship and later appeared at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
Other Wins and Performances
As a high schooler, Martínez helped Hamilton Heights Christian Academy reach the 2018 Geico High School Nationals Tournament final and earned all-tournament honors. She has continued to add professional experience through her time with Flammes Carolo Basket in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball in France.
Esmery Martinez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Martínez’s immediate family and her early life in Hato Mayor del Rey are limited in publicly available sources.
Personal Life
Martíney’s public profile focuses primarily on her basketball career. Information about her spouse, children, or other personal relationships has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Martínez’s 2025 storyline centers on her return to the New York Liberty, where she signed a training camp contract on 1 February 2025 after completing her stint in France. Her European experience with Flammes Carolo Basket provided her with another year of professional minutes and should help her compete for a roster spot in training camp.
Heading into the 2025 WNBA season, Martínez brings a versatile forward skill set, including rebounding, interior defense and improved perimeter play. Her international background and two-way contributions will be factors in her bid to earn a roster role with the defending contenders.
Looking ahead, Martínez’s 2025 outlook depends on how she performs during Liberty’s training camp and preseason. A successful camp could secure her a spot on the regular-season roster, allowing her to continue building on her historic draft selection and her growing professional resume.