The Houston Rockets acquired the No. 52 pick in the second round of Wednesday’s NBA draft from the Sacramento Kings to select Kenyon Martin Jr., an athletic 6-foot-6 prospect who is just 19 years old.
Known as KJ Martin, he’s the son of Kenyon Martin, who was selected first overall in the 2000 draft and played in the NBA for 15 years.
A three-star [high school] recruit from Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, Martin originally committed to play collegiately for Vanderbilt before opting for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy.
Here’s his summary from the Rookie Wire big board:
Kenyon Martin Jr. tested well at the combine, recording a 3/4 sprint and max vert both well above-average for his position. Martin has been described as “arguably the best athlete in the draft” and he did much better on the shooting drills than many expected, shooting 71% in the 3-point endurance drill. The main thing that is holding him back is just his body of work.
Houston traded a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations to acquire Martin from the Kings, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The Rockets began the night with the No. 16 selection in the first round, as well, but it was traded to Detroit for a future first rounder.
Arguably the best athlete in the draft, KJ Martin surprised by also finishing as one of the best shooters in the NBA Combine's Endurance drill (five minutes of consecutive game-speed shots). He went 50/70 (71%). pic.twitter.com/7eHd9icSoO
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 9, 2020
