KJ Martin Bio
Kenyon Lee “KJ” Martin Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, he plays the small forward and power forward positions. Martin was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft and has since suited up for several NBA franchises before moving overseas to continue his career.
The son of former NBA number one overall pick Kenyon Martin, KJ grew up in southern California and developed into a respected high school prospect before turning professional. After stops with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz, he joined the Ningbo Rockets in 2025, signaling a new chapter in his basketball journey.
KJ Martin Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Kenyon Lee Martin Jr. was born on January 6, 2001, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of Kenyon Martin, a former NBA player who was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA draft and played professionally for 15 seasons, and Heather Martin. Growing up in a basketball household gave KJ early and constant exposure to the sport, and his father’s career path shaped his understanding of what it takes to play at the highest levels.
He spent his early years in the southern California area, where he attended Oaks Christian School as a freshman. During that year, he was pulled out of Oaks Christian to be homeschooled, and he did not play organized basketball at that time. The decision to change schools paved the way for his later transition into competitive basketball, where his athletic gifts began to stand out.
After his freshman year, Martin enrolled at Chaminade College Preparatory School and started playing basketball as a sophomore. The move marked the true beginning of his competitive career and allowed him to showcase the athletic ability he had developed growing up around the game.
KJ Martin Path to Basketball
Path to Basketball
After his time at Chaminade, Martin transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, where he continued to build his reputation as a forward. At Sierra Canyon, he played alongside fellow promising talents Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley. He averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and helped lead the program to back-to-back California Open Division championships.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Martin originally committed to play college basketball at Vanderbilt. He later changed course and opted for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, to further sharpen his skills. At IMG Academy, he averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game, drew praise for his athleticism, and scored 37 points at the National Prep Showcase. He also showed an improved jump shot during that year.
On March 24, 2020, Martin declared for the 2020 NBA draft, officially ending his amateur career and beginning the next phase of his basketball journey.
KJ Martin Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
On November 18, 2020, Kenyon Lee Martin Jr. was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft with the 52nd overall pick. One week later, on November 25, he was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for cash considerations and a future second-round pick. He signed a four-year contract with the Rockets on November 30, 2020, and was assigned to their NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, to begin his professional development.
Martin was activated for the Houston Rockets’ January 4, 2021, game against the Dallas Mavericks and made his on-court NBA debut on January 8, 2021, against the Orlando Magic, scoring seven points on perfect three-for-three shooting, including a three-pointer. He went on to earn NBA G League All-Rookie Team honors in 2021.
Houston Rockets Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Martin steadily grew into his role with the Houston Rockets over his first two seasons. On May 8, 2021, he scored a then-career-high 27 points against the Utah Jazz. He also recorded 10 rebounds in three different games that May, showing a growing presence on the glass. In 2021, his NBA G League All-Rookie Team selection recognized his development work with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
During the 2021–22 season, Martin appeared in 79 of 82 games, starting two, and scored a season-high 20 points against the Utah Jazz on March 2, 2022. He also pulled down 11 rebounds twice during the campaign. The following season, he became a full-time starter after teammate Eric Gordon was traded in February 2023. He played in all 82 games and started 49 of them, posting career highs of 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 28.0 minutes, and a .572 field goal percentage. Highlights included a 21-point, career-high 15-rebound performance against the Atlanta Hawks on November 25, 2022, and a career-high 31 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22, 2023. He also participated in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2023)
On July 8, 2023, the Houston Rockets traded Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two future second-round picks. His time in Los Angeles was brief, as the Clippers dealt him less than four months later as part of a larger roster shake-up tied to the James Harden trade.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2023–2025)
On November 1, 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Martin, along with Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, and Robert Covington, in a trade that sent James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev to the Clippers. The 76ers also received multiple draft picks and pick swaps as part of the deal. Martin settled into a supporting role in Philadelphia and later re-signed with the team on July 15, 2024, agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Utah Jazz Era (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Martin was traded, along with two future second-round picks, to the Detroit Pistons. Several hours later, he was moved again to the Utah Jazz as part of a five-team trade that also sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. With the Jazz, Martin made 19 appearances, including nine starts, and averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. On September 23, 2025, he was waived by the team.
Ningbo Rockets Era (2025–Present)
On November 15, 2025, Martin signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, beginning his first professional chapter outside the United States. The move represents a fresh start and an opportunity to expand his game in a new league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term “driving style” is more common in racing, in basketball it fits Martin’s offensive identity well. He thrives as a high-energy forward who attacks the rim, finishes above it with athleticism, and uses his 6-foot-6 frame to compete on the boards. His career-best .572 field goal percentage with the Rockets reflects his efficiency in the paint, while his dunk-contest appearance underscored the explosive leaping ability that has defined his game since high school.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Martin’s signature moments are his 31-point outburst against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22, 2023, his 27-point performance against the Utah Jazz on May 8, 2021, and his appearance in the 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. His selection to the 2021 NBA G League All-Rookie Team marked an early milestone in his professional development, while his signing with the Ningbo Rockets in 2025 opened a new chapter in his career.
KJ Martin Career Wins
KJ Martin’s career to this point has been defined more by development and team contributions than by individual championships. His honors include the 2021 NBA G League All-Rookie Team selection, earned during his time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He has also been part of winning team efforts, including back-to-back California Open Division state championships at Sierra Canyon. Personal scoring milestones, including a 37-point game at the National Prep Showcase and a 31-point game with the Rockets, stand as the most celebrated individual achievements of his career so far.
High School and Prep Highlights
At Sierra Canyon School, Martin was part of back-to-back California Open Division championship teams, averaging 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley. At IMG Academy, he averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game and dropped 37 points at the National Prep Showcase. These performances established him as a top-tier prep prospect before he turned professional.
Professional Highlights
In the NBA G League, Martin earned All-Rookie Team honors in 2021 while playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In the NBA, his best statistical season came in 2022–23 with the Houston Rockets, when he started 49 of 82 games and set career highs across multiple categories, including points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He later played a supporting role for the Philadelphia 76ers before short stints with the Utah Jazz and Ningbo Rockets.
KJ Martin Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in KJ Martin’s family. He is the son of Kenyon Martin, who was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA draft and enjoyed a 15-year NBA career, and Heather Martin. His father’s long professional career gave KJ a close-up view of the demands and rewards of life as a basketball player and helped shape his own path in the sport.
Personal Life
Martin is an American national who was raised in southern California. He has been open about the influence his father had on his basketball development, and the two have been seen together at various basketball events. Beyond his family ties to the sport, KJ has built his own identity as a high-energy forward known for his athleticism and rebounding.
2025 Season Performance
KJ Martin’s 2025 season was defined by movement between multiple teams and a dramatic change of scenery. He began the year with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he remained until a February 6, 2025, trade sent him first to the Detroit Pistons and then, hours later, to the Utah Jazz. With the Jazz, he made 19 appearances, including nine starts, and averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, before being waived on September 23, 2025.
Just over a month later, on November 15, 2025, Martin signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, taking his game overseas for the first time. The transition to the CBA marks a significant new chapter and an opportunity to play a featured role on an international stage.
Looking ahead, KJ Martin’s primary focus will be establishing himself as a key contributor for the Ningbo Rockets and continuing to refine the perimeter skills he worked to develop earlier in his career. His combination of size, athleticism, and experience at multiple NBA stops gives him a strong foundation for success in a new league, and his progress with Ningbo will likely shape the next phase of his professional journey.