Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Lee Martin (born December 30, 1977 in Saginaw, Michigan) is a professional basketball player for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, playing at the power forward position. He is noted for his excellent defensive and rebounding skills, as well as his intensity and aggressive dunking.

Related Topics:
December 30 - 1977 - Saginaw - Michigan - Basketball - NBA - Denver Nuggets - Power forward

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Martin was an outstanding player in college, playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats under the direction of Bob Huggins. As a senior, he averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game and was the consensus National Player of the Year, earning numerous awards from various organizations. After his senior year, the University of Cincinnati retired his #4 jersey on April 25, 2000. Later that year, he was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. Martin is both the last college senior and last American-born collegian to date to be the top overall pick; the five top picks since him consist of three high school players (Kwame Brown, LeBron James, Dwight Howard), one international player with two years of U.S. college experience (Andrew Bogut), and one international player with no college experience (Yao Ming).

Related Topics:
Cincinnati Bearcats - Bob Huggins - April 25 - 2000 - 2000 NBA Draft - New Jersey Nets - Kwame Brown - LeBron James - Dwight Howard - Andrew Bogut - Yao Ming

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As a rookie, Martin averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Then next year, Martin averaged 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in helping the Nets to a winning record. Along with Nets stars Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Martin led the Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers. In his third season Martin again helped his team into the NBA Finals, where the Nets lost 4 games to 2 against the Tim Duncan-led San Antonio Spurs. The next year, Martin averaged 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks en route to his first NBA All-Star selection, as a backup forward for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. In the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Martin scored 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 assists.

Related Topics:
NBA All-Rookie First Team - Jason Kidd - Richard Jefferson - 2002 - NBA Finals - Kobe Bryant - Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers - Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs - NBA All-Star - 2004

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At the end of the 2003-04 season, Martin was signed by the Nets to a $93 million, 7-year contract, then traded to the Nuggets for three 1st round draft picks.

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Martin is married with three children, sons Kenyon Jr. and Kameron, and daughter Cierra Reign. In his free time he enjoys watching movies and playing video games. Martin's half brother, Richard Roby, is a sophomore guard for Colorado University.

Related Topics:
Richard Roby - Colorado University

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