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Growing up, KJ Martin would often attend practices and games with his father, Kenyon Martin. The experiences KJ had during that time helped shape him as a player today and the 19-year-old has used them as an advantage throughout his career.
Of course, Kenyon was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets and spent the first four years of his career with the organization. He would go on to have four other stops in the NBA before retiring in 2015.
KJ was around his father often as a youngster in basketball settings and saw firsthand what it was like to be a player in the NBA. Not every player coming up now is offered that same chance so KJ believes it has served as an advantage to this point.
“A lot of people say, ‘Do I feel pressure?’ [as the son of a former player] or things like that but I take it as an advantage,” KJ said Friday on a Zoom call with reporters. “Since I was super young, I remember being at practices every day with my dad as much as I can, going to games as much as I can. Seeing those guys work, and the environment that they are in, and how dedicated they are from a young age helped me all the way until this point.”
Of course, the Rockets acquired KJ with the 52nd overall pick in the NBA draft. The organization entered draft night without a pick but opted to purchase one from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a future selection to take KJ.
The 6-foot-7 product from the IMG Academy averaged 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks last season and shot 69.1% on 2-point field goals. He is viewed as one of the most athletic prospects this year and posted a 38.5-inch max vertical jump at the combine.
KJ said that he views himself as a three or a four with the Rockets and envisions he can play as PJ Tucker does now by defending multiple positions and impacting games on both ends of the floor. He will also be looking to use his athleticism to his advantage, offensively and defensively.
The Rockets signed him to a four-year deal with the first season fully guaranteed so KJ figures to have an opportunity to showcase his abilities this season.
Houston begins preseason play on Dec. 11 vs. the Chicago Bulls.
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