Adelaide 36ers Lock in Montrezl Harrell for Rest of NBL Season
October 16, 2024
Jarell Martin
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 24/05/94
- Place of Birth: Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 208
- Weight (KG): 108
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: LSU (2013–2015)
- NBL DEBUT: 16/01/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 11/05/22
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: Sydney 2021-22 | Adelaide 2025
- Championships: 1
- Sydney (2022)
BIO: Jarell Martin was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA) where he attended Madison Prep High School.
As one of the top prospects in the country, Martin was selected as a McDonald’s All-American, the first for LSU head coach Johnny Jones. Martin was also the winner of the 2013 Mr. Basketball award given annually by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association to the top player in the state of Louisiana.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jarell Martin made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 26 years of age. He scored 11 points in his first game.
Sydney faced a major roster turnover after finishing runners-up to Perth in a Covid induced conclusion to the 2020 Grand Final. The team looked to recover from the loss of both All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate and head coach Will Weaver, who both inked contracts with the NBA’s Houston Rockets while veterans Kevin Lisch, Andrew Bogut and Lucas Walker all retired. Kings assistant Adam Forde took up the reigns this season after being with the organisation since 2019 and replaced the outgoing talent with import Jarell Martin, Angus Glover (via Illawarra), and rookie Dejan Vasiljevic (via Miami University). During the preseason, Sydney lost promising forward Xavier Cooks to a foot injury and signed Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) as an injury replacement just before their opening game. The team’s injury woes continued when Angus Glover tore his ACL and would miss all but two games for the season.
As the season kicked off, the Kings looked to their young core to step up in the loss of key veterans and struggled early as a result. Losing three of their first four games, the team sat at the bottom of the ladder in seventh place. Mid-season, the league made the decisions to move all teams to Melbourne for a in-season tournament (NBL Cup) created to avoid COVID-related travel issues. It was here Sydney began to find some form, winning as many as they lost during the Cup (4-4) and then once the tournament was over, consecutive wins at home saw Sydney reach the top four by round 12.
Co-captain Casper Ware (17.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) and Martin (17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) became the focal points on offence. The 27-year-old Martin recorded less than 10 points just twice with a season-high 29 points against the New Zealand Breakers in Round 19.
Dejan Vasiljevic (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) and Jordan Hunter (9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) both became major parts of the King’s core rotation, Hunter finishing runner-up in the voting for the Most Improved Player award and Vasiljevic being selected as Rookie of the Year. Xavier Cooks (10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 blocks) also showed what type of impact he could have during the King’s back end of the season win the league, producing a career high 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Hawks in Round 21. The Kings’ limitations this season were primarily their perimeter shooting, where they were equal worst in three-point percentage (tied with Illawarra with 33.4%) and inability to win on the road, where they lost 50% of their games away from home. With four rounds to go, Sydney was firmly entrenched inside the top four but a stretch of five losses in seven games that included two by over 20 points ultimately saw them fall short. Sydney ended the season on a three-game winning streak but would finish in fifth place (19-17) and fail to qualify for the playoffs.
2021/22
2021 saw the Kings replace Adam Forde with unproven US coach, Chase Buford. Buford, the son of RC Buford, the mastermind of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, would be handed a team with a already impressive core in Martin, Xavier Cooks and Dejan Vasiljevic and added former NBA talent Jaylen Adams and fellow import RJ Hunter.
The change in leadership and early-season injuries to RJ Hunter (who would only play in one NBL game), Adams (missed a third of the season) and young big man Jordan Hunter, who would miss the entire season, resulted in a sluggish start for the Kings. After a stretch in January where the Kings lost four consecutive games, Adams was able to make his return, the Kings added a former NBA teammate of Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut, Ian Clark and things began to improve.
Martin would average 15.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists as the Kings then finished the year in spectacular fashion, winning 13 consecutive games to end the regular season.
The Kings faced Brian Goorjian and the Illawarra Hawks in the semifinals, but comfortably defeated them in two straight games. On the other side of the bracket, the Tasmania JackJumpers in their debut NBL season, who were lucky to even be in the playoffs, defeated Melbourne United in three games. Tasmania had finished the season in fifth place and only qualified for the playoffs thanks to points percentage after South East Melbourne beat Perth in the final game of the season.
In the Grand Final series, Sydney continued to show their dominance, defeating Tasmania (95-78) in the opening game of the series. Adams, who had been named NBL MVP the previous week, scored 18 points in the win but suffered a left hamstring injury which would see him miss the remainder of the Grand Final series.
Game two saw JackJumpers fan favourite Josh Adams erupt for 36 points in front of a sell-out Tasmanian crowd, but thanks to 20 point efforts from both captain Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin (who shot 80% from the field) as well as Dejan Vasiljevic, who nailed a long range dagger in the closing minutes clinched game two for the Kings, 90-86. The win was Sydney’s 12th straight road game victory – the most away wins ever during a single NBL season.
Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍
–
–Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022
The Kings then closed out the series in game three, ending their 17-year championship drought in front of 16,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin would combine for 45 points and 29 rebounds, and the Kings won their 19th win of their final 21 games.
Cooks would be named the MVP of the finals series, averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists over the three games and at 33 years of age, Buford became the fourth-youngest championship-winning coach in league history, with Bob Turner (1983), Ken Richardson (1982) and Jim Ericksen (1981) the only coaches to win it at a younger age (Two of those were player-coaches).
17 years in the making
#WeTheKings #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/Wz7uIGjTr6
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 14, 2022
Jarell Martin currently plays for the Adelaide 36ers and has played 79 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists since entering the league in 2021.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Adelaide 36ers – 1 Year Deal (2024-25)
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 30 | Adelaide | 13-16 (6) | 20 | 277.0 | 162 | 81 | 11 | 68 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 55 | 56 | 130 | 43% | 20 | 60 | 33% | 30 | 35 | 86% | 55% | 51% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 28 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 31 | 858.0 | 491 | 259 | 31 | 58 | 201 | 23 | 18 | 57 | 81 | 183 | 350 | 52% | 50 | 130 | 38% | 75 | 95 | 79% | 62% | 59% | 24 |
| 2020-21 | 27 | Sydney | 19-17 (5) | 28 | 744.0 | 502 | 196 | 31 | 55 | 141 | 19 | 13 | 50 | 61 | 198 | 396 | 50% | 30 | 75 | 40% | 76 | 97 | 78% | 57% | 54% | 29 |
| Totals | 79 | 1879 | 1155 | 536 | 73 | 181 | 355 | 55 | 37 | 125 | 197 | 437 | 876 | 49.9% | 100 | 265 | 37.7% | 181 | 227 | 79.7% | 59% | 56% | 29 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 30 | Adelaide | 13-16 (6) | 20 | 13.9 | 8.1 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 6.5 | 43% | 1.0 | 3.0 | 33% | 1.5 | 1.8 | 86% | 55% | 51% | 16 |
| 2021-22 | 28 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 31 | 27.7 | 15.8 | 8.4 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 6.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 5.9 | 11.3 | 52% | 1.6 | 4.2 | 38% | 2.4 | 3.1 | 79% | 62% | 59% | 24 |
| 2020-21 | 27 | Sydney | 19-17 (5) | 28 | 26.6 | 17.9 | 7.0 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 7.1 | 14.1 | 50% | 1.1 | 2.7 | 40% | 2.7 | 3.5 | 78% | 57% | 54% | 29 |
| Total | 79 | 23.8 | 14.6 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 11.1 | 49.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.7% | 1.3 | 3.4 | 79.7% | 59% | 56% | 29 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Jarell Martin was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with pick #25 in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Four days after being drafted, it was revealed that a stress fracture in his foot would prevent him from playing in the Summer League. Despite the injury, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Grizzlies on July 10. Less than two months later, Martin sustained another foot injury, this time fracturing his left foot after colliding with another player during a workout.
On December 18, he made his NBA debut in the Grizzlies 97–88 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His minutes increased post All-Star break thanks to multiple injured teammates. Having scored eight points total in his NBA career up until March 7, 2016, Martin had 15 of his career-high 16 points in the first half of the Grizzlies 116–96 loss to the Boston Celtics on March 9. During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments to the Iowa Energy, the Grizzlies D-League affiliate.
On October 30, 2016, Martin made his first career start, recording four points and five rebounds in 19 minutes in a 112–103 overtime win over the Washington Wizards. On November 28, 2016, he posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a 104–85 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. During the 2016–17 season, he had multiple assignments to the Iowa Energy.
On July 23, 2018, Martin and cash considerations were traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Dakari Johnson and the draft rights to Tyler Harvey.
On August 16, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Martin to a one-year deal. On October 19, 2019 the Cavaliers released Martin. On February 2, 2020, Martin signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Martin played 184 games in the NBA. He averaged 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 25, 2015: Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 1st round (25th pick) of the 2015 NBA Draft.
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July 10, 2015: Signed a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
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July 23, 2018: Traded by the Memphis Grizzlies with cash to the Orlando Magic for Tyler Harvey and Dakari Johnson $1.04MM
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August 16, 2019: Signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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October 19, 2019: Waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 82% | 54% | 68% | 80% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 437 | 876 | 49.9% | 100 | 265 | 37.7% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21 | Memphis | PF | 27 | 0 | 380 | 153 | 86 | 15 | 39 | 47 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 58 | 54 | 116 | 47% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 45 | 62 | 73% | 53% | 47% |
| 2016-17 | 22 | Memphis | PF | 42 | 3 | 558 | 165 | 162 | 8 | 42 | 120 | 17 | 9 | 28 | 91 | 58 | 151 | 38% | 9 | 25 | 36% | 40 | 50 | 80% | 48% | 41% |
| 2017-18 | 23 | Memphis | PF | 73 | 36 | 1661 | 565 | 318 | 73 | 97 | 221 | 39 | 49 | 86 | 211 | 221 | 496 | 45% | 34 | 98 | 35% | 89 | 116 | 77% | 52% | 48% |
| 2018-19 | 24 | Orlando | PF | 42 | 1 | 328 | 115 | 73 | 18 | 11 | 62 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 51 | 43 | 104 | 41% | 20 | 57 | 35% | 9 | 11 | 82% | 53% | 51% |
| Total | 184 | 40 | 2927 | 998 | 639 | 114 | 189 | 450 | 67 | 73 | 144 | 411 | 376 | 867 | 43% | 63 | 182 | 35% | 183 | 239 | 77% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21 | Memphis | PF | 27 | 0 | 14.1 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 47% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 1.7 | 2.3 | 73% | 53% | 47% |
| 2016-17 | 22 | Memphis | PF | 42 | 3 | 13.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 38% | 0.2 | 0.6 | 36% | 1.0 | 1.2 | 80% | 48% | 41% |
| 2017-18 | 23 | Memphis | PF | 73 | 36 | 22.8 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 6.8 | 45% | 0.5 | 1.3 | 35% | 1.2 | 1.6 | 77% | 52% | 48% |
| 2018-19 | 24 | Orlando | PF | 42 | 1 | 7.8 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 41% | 0.5 | 1.4 | 35% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 82% | 53% | 51% |
| Total | 184 | 40 | 15.9 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 4.7 | 43% | 0.3 | 1.0 | 35% | 1.0 | 1.3 | 77% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Israel - Maccabi Tel Aviv (2022–2023) | Turkey - Galatasaray Nef (2023-2024)
On July 4, 2022, Martin signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League. In 38 EuroLeague games, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 19 minutes per contest. On July 17, 2023, Martin mutually parted ways with the Israeli powerhouse.
COLLEGE
Martin started 25 of LSU's 34 games and averaged 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 26.2 minutes per game. He ranked ninth in the SEC among freshmen in scoring, and seventh among SEC freshmen in rebounding. He averaged 11.4 points per game in SEC action with 12 of his 18 double figure scoring games coming in SEC play. For his performance, Martin was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
As a sophomore, Martin led LSU with 16.9 points per game and increased his rebounding to 9.2 per game. He had a career-high 28 points against Florida on February 21. He had 15 double-doubles and helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament. On March 25, 2015, Martin declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility
AWARDS
- Israeli League champion (2023)
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Israeli League Cup winner (2022)
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First-team All-SEC (2015)
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SEC All-Freshman team (2014)
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McDonald's All-American (2013)
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First-team Parade All-American (2013)
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Louisiana Mr. Basketball (2013)
Related
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