Tyrese Martin

Tyrese Martin's Biography

Tyrese Jeffrey Martin, born March 7, 1999, is a widely-known professional basketball player, a name currently linked with the illustrious teams of the Brooklyn Nets and the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League. This American-born athlete embarked into the world of professional basketball from the very roots of the sport: college basketball. His journey started from playing for the Rhode Island Rams and the UConn Huskies, two renowned names in college basketball.

Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Martin’s skill for the sport began to show prominence at a young age. He attended William Allen High School in his hometown, where he played basketball regularly, averaging a remarkable 21.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in his senior year. His consistent performances would later lead Allen High School to its first Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) title since 2006, earning him the MVP award.

After high school, Martin believed in self-improvement and exposure, leading him to join Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia, for a postgraduate season. His dedication and diligence paid off in 2017 when he had multiple colleges vying for his talent, such as Minnesota, Utah and Seton Hall. However, Rhode Island was his choice.

His freshman year at Rhode Island saw Martin averaging 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. His fierce performance was most exhilarating on February 26, 2020, when he scored season highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds to lead his team to a sweeping 76-75 win against Fordham. His sophomore year further highlighted his innate ability where he averaged 12.8 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Moving to UConn before his junior year under Coach Dan Hurley’s guidance, Martin demonstrated relentless determination for his passion. He worked full-time at a warehouse when his family fell on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic. His performance at UConn also met expectations, despite unforeseen challenges such as a suspension from the season opener due to his involvement in an unsanctioned summer league game. His junior stint saw him averaging 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

By December 2021, Martin’s career was soaring as he scored a career-high 25 points in a match against Marquette, thus surpassing the 1,000-point mark. However, a few hiccups such as a sprained wrist causing him to miss games did not deter his spirits or his goal: to enter the NBA.

On March 22, 2022, Martin declared his intentions, declaring eligibility for the 2022 NBA draft. His moment arrived when he was drafted 51st overall by the Golden State Warriors, eventually being traded on to the Atlanta Hawks.

However, his time with the Hawks was not as fruitful as expected. For the 2022-23 season, Martin played sixteen games, averaging minor points, and additionally served time with College Park Skyhawks, with better averages. Eventually, his journey with the Hawks ended in July 2023 when he was waived. An eventual signing with Minnesota Timberwolves occurred on September 2023, but like a ship in a storm, the voyage was not smooth for Martin and he was waived once again in October the same year. Nonetheless, Martin remained hopeful, joining the Iowa Wolves, the Timberwolves’ affiliate in the NBA G League.

As his career seemed ready to sail calmly, a turning point occurred in September 2024, when Martin signed with the Brooklyn Nets, a move solidified into a two-way contract in October. With this, Martin carved a #000365place in the NBA, continuing his journey from high school, through college basketball, to the awe-inspiring grounds of the NBA, proving that dreams come true through endurance and persistence.