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 All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate (to Houston) and head coach Will Weaver (to Houston), while veterans Kevin Lisch, Andrew Bogut and Lucas Walker retired. Kings assistant Adam Forde took up the reins after joining the organisation in 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 Xavier Cooks to a foot injury expected to keep him out for three to four months and signed Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) as an injury replacement just before their opening game.

Sydney opened the season against Cairns at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on January 16, where Martin (11 points and 8 rebounds) made his NBL debut off the bench, but the Taipans escaped with an 87-86 victory after Ware missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Ware (18 points and 3 assists) and Vasiljevic (15 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings, while Scott Machado (17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) was Cairns’ best.

Martin (17.9 points and 7 rebounds across 28 games) had signed a two-year deal with a mutual option for the second season in December after four years in the NBA with Memphis and Orlando, most recently playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Shenzhen in China. “I’m very excited to be joining the Kings and can’t wait to get going,” Martin said. Martin quickly became one of Sydney’s focal points alongside co-captain Ware (17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across 36 games), leading the Kings in both scoring and rebounding while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. He scored fewer than 10 points only twice all season.

As the season kicked off, the Kings looked to their younger core to replace the departed veterans and struggled early, losing three of their first four games and falling to seventh place. Glover (3.5 points and 3 rebounds across 2 games) suffered a partial ACL sprain in his right knee during Round 2 and would not play again during the season, with Dexter Kernich-Drew (via South East Melbourne) signed as his injury replacement in February.

One of Martin’s best early performances came in Brisbane on January 26, where Martin (26 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) shot 10-of-15 from the field and 5-of-5 at the foul line, but Sydney fell to the Bullets 90-87. Ware (15 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Vasiljevic (13 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while Vic Law (27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks) led Brisbane.

Martin’s season was interrupted against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, when Martin (15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) slipped late in the third quarter and injured his knee as the Hawks defeated Sydney 85-82. Ware (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Vasiljevic (18 points and 3 rebounds) led the Kings, while Tyler Harvey (25 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s best. The injury forced Martin to miss Sydney’s next six games before returning on March 11. Renewed knee soreness then ruled him out against South East Melbourne on April 15 and Cairns on April 17, meaning all eight games Martin missed during the season were due to his knee.

With Martin missing most of the NBL Cup, Sydney went 4-4 during the tournament before consecutive home victories moved them into the top four by Round 12. Vasiljevic (15.4 points and 3.6 rebounds across 21 games) emerged as one of the league’s leading rookies before rupturing his Achilles in April and missing the remainder of the season. Didi Louzada (8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 20 games) (to New Orleans) was granted permission to leave the Kings later that month and join the Pelicans, while Jarrad Weeks (via New Zealand) was signed in May as an injury replacement and to provide additional guard depth. Cooks (10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds across 8 games) returned in mid-May after spending most of the season recovering from his foot injury. During Sydney’s push towards the playoffs, the Kings and Forde also mutually agreed that his one-year contract would not be extended beyond the season, although he remained coach for the remainder of the campaign.

Martin’s best scoring game came against New Zealand at TSB Stadium in New Plymouth on May 22, where Martin (29 points and 9 rebounds) shot 12-of-21 from the field and scored nine points in the fourth quarter as Sydney erased a five-point three-quarter deficit and defeated the Breakers 81-76. Ware (15 points and 3 assists) and Hunter (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Levi Randolph (25 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led New Zealand. The Kings won the final quarter 25-15, remaining fifth but moving level on wins with fourth-placed Illawarra.

Hunter (9 points and 6.3 rebounds across 36 games) developed into Sydney’s starting centre and finished runner-up to Sam Froling for the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, while Vasiljevic finished runner-up to Josh Giddey for Rookie of the Year. Other key contributors included Bruce (6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 35 games), Newley (6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds across 34 games), Moller (6.4 points and 5.7 rebounds across 36 games) and Kickert (6 points across 26 games). Ware was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and won both the Kings’ Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, while Martin was named the Members’ Player of the Year. Moller received the Coaches’ Award and Bruce and Hunter shared Players’ Player honours.

Sydney’s limitations were primarily its perimeter shooting and inability to consistently win away from home, with the Kings shooting 33.4 percent from three, the second-lowest mark in the league, while going 8-10 on the road. With four rounds remaining, Sydney was firmly inside the top four, but five losses across seven games, including two defeats by more than 20 points, pushed the Kings outside the playoff positions.

Cooks’ late-season return provided Sydney with another frontcourt weapon and against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on June 3, Martin (23 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) combined with Cooks (19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) to lead the Kings to a 79-73 victory that kept their season alive. Hunter (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) also played a major role, while Sam Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks) was among Illawarra’s best. Cooks’ 19 points were a career-high and the win kept Sydney’s playoff hopes alive entering its final game.

Sydney closed the regular season against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on June 5, where Martin (28 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) shot 11-of-18 from the field and made three three-pointers to lead the Kings to an 83-82 victory. Ware (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kickert (10 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Nathan Sobey (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) was Brisbane’s best. The victory completed Sydney’s three-game winning streak, but South East Melbourne retained fourth place and the Kings finished fifth with a 19-17 record, missing the playoffs.

2021/22
After finishing fifth with a 19-17 record and missing the playoffs, Sydney replaced Adam Forde (to Cairns) with first-year NBL head coach Chase Buford. Casper Ware (to Russia), Brad Newley (to Melbourne), Craig Moller (to Germany), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Didi Louzada (to New Orleans) and Daniel Kickert (retired) departed, while Jarell Martin, Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce, Angus Glover and Tom Vodanovich returned. Buford added Jaylen Adams (via Milwaukee), RJ Hunter (via Galatasaray), Biwali Bayles (via Hawaii), Makur Maker (via Howard), Matur Maker (via G-League) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth).

Martin returned for the second season of the two-year deal he signed with Sydney in 2020 after both he and the Kings exercised the mutual option attached to the contract. Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said Martin had only shown a small sample of what he could do during an injury-affected first season, adding “we expect him to have a big year.”

Sydney opened the season against defending champion Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5, where Martin (12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Kings win 79-74. Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and RJ Hunter (12 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Jo Lual-Acuil (12 points and 7 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Martin (15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds across 31 games) started all but one of his appearances and formed one of the league’s strongest frontcourt combinations alongside Cooks. Martin did not miss a game through injury during NBL22, with his only two absences coming late in the regular season. He was sidelined for Sydney’s April 17 loss to Adelaide, before the NBL confirmed Martin as Sydney’s COVID case when he also missed the April 21 game against Cairns.

Martin produced one of his best games against Tasmania at Qudos Bank Arena on December 22, finishing with 24 points and 11 rebounds as Sydney recovered from a nine-point three-quarter-time deficit and outscored the JackJumpers 29-8 in the final quarter to win 83-71. Cooks (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Bayles (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) provided support, while Clint Steindl (15 points, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Tasmania.

Martin matched his regular-season scoring high against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on March 19, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block as Sydney defeated the Phoenix 91-89. Vasiljevic (15 points and 3 assists) and Adams (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) helped the Kings extend their winning streak, while Xavier Munford (26 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led South East Melbourne.

Sydney secured its playoff place against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on April 14, where Martin (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) scored during overtime as the Kings defeated the Hawks 107-102 and collected their 13th consecutive victory. Vasiljevic (33 points and 4 rebounds) made six three-pointers and Adams (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) contributed across the floor, while Tyler Harvey (35 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra.

After Martin missed the next two games, including the loss to Adelaide that ended Sydney’s 13-game winning streak, he returned for the regular-season finale against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24. Martin (13 points and 5 rebounds) came off the bench as Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Vasiljevic (11 points and 4 rebounds) helped keep Sydney close, but Justinian Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra to an 87-84 win. Sydney finished third with a 19-9 record.

Adams (20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) led Sydney in scoring and assists, winning the NBL MVP and earning All-NBL First Team honours. Cooks (15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 31 games) was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while mid-season addition Ian Clark (13.9 points across 16 games), Vasiljevic (12.4 points across 31 games), Makur Maker (7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds across 21 games) and Glover (5.3 points and 3 rebounds across 30 games) provided the Kings’ other main contributions.

Sydney opened the semifinals against Brian Goorjian’s Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre, where Martin (4 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) struggled offensively but remained active inside as the Kings won 89-79. Adams (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Clark (16 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Sydney, while Duop Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Antonius Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Illawarra’s best.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Martin (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) provided a major scoring lift as Sydney recovered from a 15-point deficit to defeat Illawarra 99-87 and complete the sweep. Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cooks (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) helped close the series, while Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) led Illawarra.

Expansion Tasmania finished fourth with a 17-11 record before upsetting first-placed defending champion Melbourne in three games to reach the Grand Final.

The Grand Final opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where Martin (7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) contributed inside as Sydney defeated Tasmania 95-78. Adams (18 points and 3 assists), Clark (17 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings, while Mikyle McIntosh (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) were Tasmania’s best. Adams suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during the victory and was ruled out for the remainder of the series.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Martin (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) shot 8-of-10 from the field as Sydney won 90-86 without Adams. Cooks (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Vasiljevic (20 points and 5 rebounds) joined Martin with 20 points, while Josh Adams (36 points) led Tasmania. Vasiljevic hit a long three-pointer in the closing seconds to put Sydney four points ahead, while the victory was the Kings’ 12th consecutive road win, the most by any team during a single NBL season.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
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– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022

Martin’s best overall game of the season came in game three at Qudos Bank Arena, where Martin (22 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) made 9-of-12 shots and four three-pointers as Sydney defeated Tasmania 97-88 to complete the sweep. Cooks (23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks) and Clark (22 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) joined Martin with at least 22 points as Cooks and Martin combined for 45 points and 30 rebounds, while Josh Adams (27 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals), McIntosh (14 points and 8 rebounds) and Josh Magette (12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals) led Tasmania. The victory came in front of an NBL Grand Final record crowd of 16,149 and delivered Sydney its fourth championship and first in 17 years, completing a perfect 5-0 postseason and giving the Kings their 19th victory from their final 21 games.

17 years in the making 💜💛#WeTheKings #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/Wz7uIGjTr6

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 14, 2022

At 33, Buford became the fourth-youngest championship-winning coach in NBL history behind Bob Turner, Ken Richardson and Jim Ericksen, two of whom were player-coaches. Cooks was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 19 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across the three games.

2024/25
After finishing ninth with a 12-16 record and missing the postseason in 2023/24, Adelaide underwent another major off-season overhaul. Former captain Mitch McCarron (to New Zealand), Trentyn Flowers (to Los Angeles Clippers), Jacob Wiley (to Spain), Tohi Smith-Milner (to Brisbane), Kyrin Galloway (to Cairns), Trey Kell III (to Illawarra), and Akech Aliir (to Melbourne) all departed, while Scott Ninnis was replaced by Mike Wells as head coach before the season.

Dejan Vasiljevic re-signed on a three-year deal and was appointed captain, while Isaac Humphries also committed for another three seasons. Fiston Ipassou, Keanu Rasmussen and Jacob Rigoni were retained, with Kendric Davis (via Santa Cruz), Lat Mayen (via Cairns), Ben Griscti (via UC Riverside), Patrick D’Arcy (via Sturt), Jarell Martin (via Galatasaray), and Tom Kubank (via South Adelaide) added to the roster.

Martin signed a one-year deal on August 1 after spending the previous two seasons in Europe, most recently with Galatasaray. The former NBA first-round pick returned to the NBL as a member of Sydney’s 2022 championship team and was reunited with former Kings teammate Vasiljevic, but was still recovering from a right patellar tendon rupture suffered in Turkey. A foot complaint then ruled him out of Adelaide’s opening six games, leading to Montrezl Harrell (via Philadelphia) joining as his injury replacement before Harrell’s early impact earned him a contract for the remainder of the season.

Martin made his 36ers debut against Tasmania at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 20, where Martin (7 points and 4 rebounds) played 11 minutes off the bench as Adelaide defeated the defending champions 77-73. Davis (23 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and Harrell (22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Doyle (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Tasmania’s best as Adelaide improved to 4-3.

Martin (8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds across 20 games) started only three times after returning, operating mostly as a reserve behind Harrell and Humphries in Adelaide’s crowded frontcourt. His delayed start and the decision to retain Harrell reduced the role originally expected when he signed, but Martin still provided size, rebounding and perimeter shooting during stretches where the 36ers required another scoring option off the bench.

Martin produced his first season-high scoring performance against New Zealand on December 14, making 4-of-7 from the field, two three-pointers and all six free throws to finish with 16 points and 4 rebounds as Adelaide ended a four-game losing streak with a 111-94 win. Davis (36 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Harrell (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the 36ers, while Jackson-Cartwright (25 points and 8 assists) was the Breakers’ best.

Martin’s best game came against Illawarra at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 13, where Martin (16 points and 9 rebounds) made 6-of-11 from the field as the 36ers held off the ladder-leading Hawks 91-88 and kept their postseason hopes alive. Harrell (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Davis (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Adelaide, while Froling (35 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 block) almost carried Illawarra back from a 25-point deficit.

Davis (25.6 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) led Adelaide in scoring and assists, won the Mark Davis Trophy as club MVP and earned All-NBL First Team honours. Harrell (20.7 points and 9.2 rebounds across 26 games) was named to the All-NBL Second Team, while captain Vasiljevic (18.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 24 games) and Humphries (12.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 28 games) remained major contributors. Mayen (5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds across 28 games) received Adelaide’s Most Improved Player award, Dech (5.8 points across 22 games) was named Best Defensive Player, Cadee (3.8 points across 29 games) received the Coaches’ Award, and Wells won the Chairman’s Award.

Martin suffered a calf injury in Round 19 and missed Adelaide’s final three regular-season games against Brisbane, South East Melbourne and Perth. The 36ers lost all three but finished sixth with a 13-16 record, edging Tasmania on points percentage and returning to the postseason for the first time since 2017/18.

Martin returned for the Play-In Qualifier at Qudos Bank Arena on February 13, where Martin (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) helped Adelaide defeat Sydney 95-88. Vasiljevic (25 points and 2 steals), Davis (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals), and Harrell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks) led the 36ers, while Adams (30 points and 10 assists) and Oliver (19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) were best for the Kings.

The final qualifier moved to John Cain Arena on February 16, where Martin (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Davis (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), and Harrell (17 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide, while Hurt (25 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) and Ayre (17 points) carried South East Melbourne to an 85-75 win.

Jarell Martin played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Kings and the Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 79 NBL games.