Kenyon Martin is a well-known former professional basketball player from the United States who played in the NBA for fifteen seasons (National Basketball Association). He played for six different teams during his career, including the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. He also played for the Chinese Basketball Association’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Kenyon Martin |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 47 years old |
| Birth Date: | 30 December 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Saginaw, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 2.06 m |
| Weight: | 106 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Shakira Watson (m. 2016) |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Yes (Kamron Martin, Cierra Reign Martin, Kenyon Martin Jr) |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Is Kenyon Martin Gay?: | No |
| Profession: | Former professional basketball player |
| Salary: | N/A |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $70 million |
Kenyon Lee Martin Sr Biography
Kenyon Lee Martin Sr. was born on December 30, 1977, to a single mother in Saginaw, Michigan. Tamara, his older sister, looked after him while their mother was at work. His family later relocated to Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood.
Martin was a shy child who stuttered and attended three high schools in four years. He participated in a variety of field sports in high school, including basketball and football. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas in 1996. Following a successful junior year, he was recruited by the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kenyon Martin Age, Height, Weight
Kenyon Martin was born on December 30, 1977, and is 47 years old as of 2024. His height is 2.06 meters and his weight is 106 kilograms.
Career
Kenyon Martin began his professional basketball career in 2000 when the New Jersey Nets selected him first overall in the NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in his rookie season. He also finished second in the NBA Rookie of the Year poll.
Martin led his team to the 2002 NBA finals, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers. He worked hard again the following year to get his team to the finals, but the results were the same.
Martin was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade deal during the 2004-05 season. During the season, he appeared in 70 games for the Nuggets, averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. He missed 25 games the following season due to a knee injury. He was suspended indefinitely after arguing with head coach George Karl during the playoffs.
Martin became a free agent in 2011 and signed a one-year contract with the Chinese Basketball Association’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers. He signed with the Los Angeles Clippers the following year and scored six points in his first game. During the 2013-14 season, he was a member of the New York Knicks and contributed significantly to the team’s frontcourt depletement.
Martin signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, which he later extended for the entire season. He announced his retirement from professional basketball in July 2015.
Achievements and Awards
Kenyon Martin has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his distinguished professional career. He was a 2004 NBA All-Star and a member of the 2001 NBA All-Rookie First Team. He was named National college player of the year in 2000. He was a consensus first-team All-American the same year.
Martin was named NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Conference USA Player of the Year in 2000. He was named First Team All-Conference USA twice. In his honor, the Cincinnati Bearcats retired jersey number four.
Kenyon Martin’s Net Worth in 2024
Kenyon Martin’s net worth is estimated to be more than $70 million as of February 2024. He amassed this massive net worth during his professional basketball career.
Martin earns the majority of his money by playing for various NBA teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and many others. In 2011, he signed a contract with the Chinese Basketball Association’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers, making him the highest-paid player in the league’s history.
He has also participated in charitable activities, such as donating $1,000 for each point and blocked shot in Asian tsunami relief matches. Martin established The Kenyon Martin Foundation to help needy families. He joined The Stuttering Foundation of America in 2005 and served as an honorary Ambassador for the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter.
Kenyon Martin is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Because of his involvement in philanthropic activities, he has a global fan base. Martin contributes to several non-profit organizations that assist the poor and children.
Kenyon Martin Wife, Marriage
Kenyon Martin has three marriages. Fatimah Conley and Heather Martin were his first two wives. Shakira Watson, his third wife, married him in 2016. He has three children: Kamron Martin, Cierra Reign Martin, and Kenyon Martin Jr., who has declared for the NBA Draft in 2020.
