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 roughly 6 feet 6 inches tall, he has built a reputation as an athletic forward with a developing outside shot and strong rebounding instincts. After being selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft, he spent several seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz before taking his game overseas.
The son of former NBA veteran Kenyon Martin, KJ Martin grew up around the game and has carried that pedigree into his own career. He has moved between franchises quickly, often as part of larger trade packages, and has continued to showcase the energy and finishing ability that made him a notable high school prospect. As of late 2025, his signing with the Ningbo Rockets marks the beginning of a new chapter in his professional journey.
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, who was the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft and went on to play fifteen seasons in the league, and Heather Martin. Growing up in southern California, Martin Jr. was immersed in basketball culture from an early age, and his father’s long professional career gave him a front-row view of life at the highest level of the sport.
As a freshman, Martin attended Oaks Christian School but did not play basketball that year, and was later pulled out to be homeschooled. After his freshman year, he enrolled at Chaminade College Preparatory, where he began playing basketball as a sophomore and started to attract attention as a forward with high-level athleticism. He later transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, a program that has produced a long list of Division I and professional players.
At Sierra Canyon, Martin played alongside other notable prospects, including Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley, and helped lead the team to back-to-back California Open Division championships. He averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game during that stretch, establishing himself as a three-star recruit with clear pro potential.
Path to Basketball
Following his time at Sierra Canyon, Martin originally committed to play collegiately for Vanderbilt, but he opted instead to take a postgraduate year at IMG Academy in Florida. The decision allowed him to refine his game against high-level competition and to continue adding strength to his athletic frame. At IMG, he averaged about 20 points and eight rebounds per game, drawing praise for his leaping ability, motor, and improved jump shot.
During his postgraduate year, Martin scored 37 points at the National Prep Showcase, a performance that further raised his profile among NBA scouts. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft on March 24, 2020, choosing to bypass the college route entirely. His combination of size, athleticism, and bloodline made him an intriguing second-round prospect, and the Sacramento Kings selected him with the 52nd overall pick.
KJ Martin Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Martin was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 52nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft on November 18, 2020, but was quickly traded to the Houston Rockets on November 25 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.
He made his NBA debut on January 8, 2021, against the Orlando Magic, scoring seven points on perfect three-for-three shooting, including a three-pointer. By the end of his rookie season, he had earned recognition on the NBA G League All-Rookie Team, signaling his progress as a young forward in the organization.
Houston Rockets Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Martin became a more regular part of the Rockets’ rotation in his second season, playing in 79 of 82 games and starting two. He scored a season-high 20 points against the Utah Jazz on March 2, 2022, and twice pulled down 11 rebounds in a single game, showing flashes of the two-way potential the team had seen in his development.
Heading into his third season, Martin requested a trade in hopes of earning more minutes, but the situation changed when veteran guard Eric Gordon was dealt in February 2023, opening up a starting role. Martin responded by playing in all 82 games and starting 49 of them, finishing the year with career highs of 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 28.0 minutes, and a 57.2 percent field goal rate. He also competed in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most explosive leapers.
Los Angeles Clippers (2023)
On July 8, 2023, the Houston Rockets traded Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a deal that brought back two future second-round picks. His time with the Clippers was extremely brief, as the franchise reshaped its roster shortly after the trade. Martin appeared in just two games for Los Angeles before being included in a larger package of players sent to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers (2023–2025)
On November 1, 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Martin along with Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, and Robert Covington from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev. The trade also involved multiple draft picks and pick swaps, illustrating the scale of the move around Martin. On July 15, 2024, he re-signed with the Sixers to remain in Philadelphia for another season.
Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Martin was traded, along with two future second-round picks, to the Detroit Pistons, and was then moved several hours later to the Utah Jazz in a separate five-team deal that also sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. He made 19 appearances for the Jazz, including nine starts, and averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. The Jazz waived Martin on September 23, 2025, opening the door for his next professional opportunity.
Ningbo Rockets (2025–Present)
On November 15, 2025, Martin signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, beginning his first professional stint outside the United States. The move gave him a chance to take on a featured role overseas and to continue developing his perimeter game. His early tenure with Ningbo is expected to focus on scoring, athleticism, and the same high-energy play that defined his NBA career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martin is best known for his elite athleticism, including a strong vertical leap, quick second jump, and the ability to finish above the rim against bigger defenders. He has worked to expand his perimeter shooting, an area that has steadily improved since his prep years. His ability to play above the rim, run the floor in transition, and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable modern forward when given a defined role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Martin’s career are his selection in the 2020 NBA draft, his career-high 31-point game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22, 2023, and his appearance in the 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. He has also been part of several major trades involving stars such as James Harden and Jimmy Butler, illustrating how highly his contract and upside have been valued by front offices.
KJ Martin Career Wins
While KJ Martin’s statistical resume is still being written, his career has been defined more by development, athleticism, and role-player impact than by championship trophies. He helped Sierra Canyon win back-to-back California Open Division titles in high school and has since accumulated consistent production across multiple NBA stops. His NBA G League All-Rookie Team honor in 2021 remains a notable individual milestone.
NBA Highlights
Martin’s top NBA moments include scoring a career-high 31 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22, 2023, posting a 15-rebound, 21-point double-double against the Atlanta Hawks on November 25, 2022, and making the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest field in 2023. He also started 49 games for the Houston Rockets in 2022-23 and played all 82 regular-season games that year.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his two California Open Division championships at Sierra Canyon, Martin earned postseason recognition with the NBA G League All-Rookie Team in 2021 after his stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His consistent rebounding and finishing have made him a reliable contributor in rotation minutes at every NBA stop.
KJ Martin Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Martin is the son of Kenyon Martin, the former first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft who played fifteen seasons in the league and won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. His mother is Heather Martin. Growing up as the child of a long-time NBA veteran gave him an unusual level of access to high-level training, coaching, and locker-room culture, which helped shape his understanding of the professional game.
Personal Life
Martin has been described as a private individual who focuses much of his public profile on basketball. He maintains an active presence on social media, including on Instagram and X, where he shares updates about his training and career. As of the most recent public information, he has not publicly confirmed a marriage or children, and continues to dedicate much of his time to his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Martin’s 2025 season has been defined by transition and adaptation. He began the year with the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Detroit Pistons and then the Utah Jazz in February, where he served as a rotational forward. In 19 appearances for Utah, including nine starts, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, providing energy and athleticism off the bench. His release by the Jazz in late September 2025 set the stage for a quick move overseas.
On November 15, 2025, Martin signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, beginning a new chapter in his career. The CBA environment is expected to give him a larger offensive role and more consistent minutes than he had in recent NBA stops. His combination of size, leaping ability, and improving perimeter skill should make him a focal point of Ningbo’s frontcourt rotation.
Looking ahead, the 2025-26 CBA season represents an important opportunity for Martin to re-establish himself as a scoring forward and to showcase the growth in his game that was evident in his best NBA stretch with the Houston Rockets. A productive year in China could also keep the door open for a return to the NBA down the line.