Esmery Martínez Bio
Esmery Martínez (born 1 May 2000) is a Dominican professional basketball player who was drafted by the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) 17th overall in the 2024 WNBA draft. She played college basketball at West Virginia and Arizona. She is also a member of the Dominican Republic women’s national basketball team.
Early Life and Background
Esmery Martínez was born in Hato Mayor del Rey, Dominican Republic. She attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she excelled in basketball, averaging 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 5.9 blocks per game during her high school career. Her performance helped the team finish as the runner-up at the 2018 Geico High School Nationals Tournament, and she earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
Path to Basketball
After high school, Esmery Martínez began her college basketball career at West Virginia University during the 2019–20 season. She played in all 29 games as a freshman, averaging 5.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Her sophomore year saw her start all 29 games, where she achieved a double-double average of 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, finishing with a team-high 335 rebounds, the fifth-most in program history. This outstanding performance earned her a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
Esmery Martínez Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Following her successful sophomore season, Esmery Martínez continued to build her reputation in college basketball. In her junior year, she started 28 games and averaged 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. After the season, she was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection. In April 2022, she entered the NCAA transfer portal and later transferred to the University of Arizona for the 2022–23 season. In her senior year at Arizona, she started all 32 games, averaging 10.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and her 274 rebounds ranked eighth in Arizona’s single-season history.
Breakthrough (2024)
Esmery Martínez made headlines when she was drafted by the New York Liberty in the second round as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. This achievement marked her as the first Dominican-born player to be selected in the WNBA draft. However, her time with the Liberty was brief, as she was waived by the team on 13 May 2024. She later signed a training camp contract with the Liberty on 1 February 2025.
Notable Works and Milestones
Esmery Martínez’s basketball career is highlighted by her selection as first-team All-Big 12 in 2021 and her significant contributions to both her college teams and the Dominican Republic national team. She has also been recognized for her defensive skills, earning honorable mentions on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.
Esmery Martínez Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Esmery Martínez has received notable nominations, including her selection as first-team All-Big 12 in 2021 and various honors during her college career.
Esmery Martínez Awards Won
Esmery Martínez has achieved significant recognition in her basketball career, including being named first-team All-Big 12 in 2021 and receiving honorable mentions on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.
Esmery Martínez Family
Information regarding Esmery Martínez’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Esmery Martínez’s personal life, including her marital status and relationships, are not publicly disclosed.