BIO: Rhys Martin was born and raised in Brisbane (QLD) . He began playing basketball as a junior with the Southern Districts Spartans.

Somewhat of a basketball savant and with the talent to match, Rhys Martin would probably go down as one of the smartest players to come out of Queensland.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Rhys Martin made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

During his time with the Hawks Martin helped the team reach the Grand Final after they finished in second place (16-12) during the 2009/10 season. In the Hawks semi-final matchup with the third placed Townsville Crocodiles. Martin contributed 9 points and 5 assists to help the Hawks win the opening game 87-68. In game two, the Crocodiles returned the favour, defeating the Hawks 82-53 on their home court with Martin contributing 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. The series returned to Wollongong for game three where the Hawks led the game from start to finish, winning 88-76 with Martin having his best game of the series, recording 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The 2010 NBL Grand Final would then see the Hawks face the Perth Wildcats who claimed game one in Perth, 75–64, with Martin contributing 5 points. The series then headed to Wollongong for game two, where the Hawks returned the favour and defeated Perth 75–63, behind a huge offensive game from Cam Tragardh (28 points) and Martin contributing 10 points. The deciding game three would return to Western Australia where Perth comfortably defeated Wollongong 96-72, with Kevin Lisch exploding for 29 points (5 from 9 three point shots) in front of their home fans. Martin added 12 points in the final game while Kevin Lisch was named Finals MVP after averaging 18 points and 4 rebounds over the three games.

During his time with the Hawks Martin helped the team reach the 2010 NBL grand final series before falling short to the Perth Wildcats.

2014/15
After finishing fourth with a 13-15 record and losing to Perth in the semifinals the previous season, the Wollongong Hawks retained coach Gordie McLeod along with Oscar Forman, Tim Coenraad, Larry Davidson, Tyson Demos and David Gruber. Reigning NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke (to Okapi Aalstar) and Kevin Tiggs departed, while Gary Ervin (via Adelaide), Jahii Carson (via Arizona State), Luke Nevill, Brad Hill (via Sydney) and Adam Ballinger (via Melbourne) were added. Rhys Martin was not re-signed during the offseason after deciding to pursue a contract in Europe, but was unable to secure a deal and began the NBL season without a team.

The Wollongong Hawks won their opening game before losing five straight to fall to 1-5, prompting the club to review its roster. David Gruber was released on October 29 after appearing in only two games, with the veteran forward admitting the decision had surprised him. The following day the Wollongong Hawks reached an agreement with Martin for the remainder of the season. General manager Kim Welch said, “Rhys brings the knowledge and experience needed to our backcourt to challenge and compete with the leading clubs.” His return gave McLeod another experienced ball-handler alongside Ervin and Carson.

Martin made his season debut against Perth at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31, finishing with 5 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in 23 minutes from the bench. Forman (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Coenraad (13 points and 9 rebounds) provided the main support, while Jermaine Beal (25 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals) led Perth to an 83-64 victory.

Martin (9.7 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 22 games) quickly moved back into a major role, starting 18 of his 22 appearances and leading the Wollongong Hawks in steals. His six games missed at the beginning of the season were not injury related, with Martin not yet contracted to an NBL team, and he appeared in every one of the Wollongong Hawks’ remaining 22 games after signing. His arrival came during what ultimately became an 11-game losing streak following the opening-night victory.

Martin’s highest-scoring game came against New Zealand in Auckland on January 8, where he finished with 21 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 steal while making 8-of-12 field goals and 3-of-4 three-pointers. Ervin (21 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) and Carson (17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Wollongong Hawks push the league-leading Breakers to the final possession, with Martin hitting a three-pointer in the closing seconds to force overtime. Cedric Jackson (18 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals) led New Zealand, which eventually pulled away in overtime for a 98-91 victory.

Martin’s best game of the season came against Melbourne United at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 30, where he made 7-of-11 field goals and all five of his free throws to finish with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Forman (22 points and 3 rebounds) and Ervin (20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) joined him in a balanced performance, while Jordan McRae (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne. The Wollongong Hawks won 93-82.

Carson (14.5 points across 27 games) and Ervin (14.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 27 games) finished as the Wollongong Hawks’ leading scorers. Coenraad (10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds across 26 games) was named the club’s Most Valuable Player, while Forman (9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds across 28 games) and Nevill (7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds across 28 games) provided the other major contributions. Adam Ballinger announced on February 13 that he would retire at the end of the season.

The Wollongong Hawks completed the season against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 22, where Martin (14 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made 5-of-8 field goals and 4-of-6 three-pointers. Carson (13 points and 3 assists) and Hill (11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Jamar Wilson (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide to a 105-85 victory. The loss left the Wollongong Hawks eighth with a 6-22 record and delivered the foundation club only its second wooden spoon in 36 seasons.

On March 2, the Wollongong Hawks entered voluntary administration after major sponsor Wollongong Coal withdrew 18 months into a five-year agreement. The loss of the sponsorship left the club facing a $1.8 million funding shortfall over the following three years and searching for new financial backing to avoid folding.

2015/16
After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2014/15 and entering Voluntary Administration, the Hawks returned under the Illawarra name and moved on from long-time coach Gordie McLeod. Jahii Carson (free agent), Gary Ervin (free agent), Luke Nevill (free agent) and Brad Hill (free agent) departed, while Adam Ballinger (retired) ended his career. Rob Beveridge was appointed head coach and added AJ Ogilvy (via Manresa), Kevin Lisch (via Zaragoza), Kirk Penney (via Sevilla), Kevin White (via Sydney) and Cody Ellis (via Sydney).

Martin re-signed with Illawarra on June 25 for the 2015/16 season, continuing his long association with the Hawks, but a knee injury delayed the start of his season. Jarrad Weeks (via Ehingen Urspring) was signed before the opening round as his injury replacement.

Illawarra opened the season in Cairns on October 8 without its injured starting point guard, where Penney (12 points and 2 assists) and Weeks (12 points and 2 assists) led the Hawks, while Cameron Gliddon (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Cairns to a 79-74 win. Lisch (7 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) suffered a right knee injury during the third quarter and missed the following three games.

Martin (9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 18 games) missed Illawarra’s first 12 games with the knee injury before returning in December. He appeared in 15 of the Hawks’ 28 regular-season games and all three semifinals. His only other absence after returning came on December 20 against New Zealand, when he travelled to Auckland but was left resting at the team hotel after suffering a stomach virus.

Martin returned against league-leading Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on December 3, playing 21 minutes from the bench and finishing with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal as Lisch (26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Penney (25 points and 5 assists) led Illawarra, while Chris Goulding (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Melbourne’s best. The Hawks won 102-87 for their third consecutive victory and improved to 7-6. “It’s awesome to be back,” Martin said. “This is a great group. This is probably the best basketball we’ve played in a long time.”

Martin’s highest-scoring game came against Adelaide on January 28, where Martin (17 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) helped Illawarra defeat the 36ers 104-97. Lisch (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Ogilvy (21 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Jerome Randle (28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led Adelaide.

Martin’s best game of the season came against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 12, where Martin (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists) made five of nine shots as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 106-95. Ogilvy (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Lisch (16 points) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) led Adelaide. The victory completed Illawarra’s regular season with a 17-11 record and secured third place.

Illawarra made no mid-season player addition or release after the season began. Weeks (6.1 points across 31 games), who had initially joined as Martin’s injury replacement before the opening round, remained with the Hawks after Martin returned and played every game. Penney (20.4 points and 3.1 assists across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring, while Lisch (19.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games) and Ogilvy (16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks across 31 games) completed Beveridge’s ‘three-headed monster’. Coenraad (9.5 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games), Forman (8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 31 games) and Ellis (6 points across 29 games) were the other Hawks to average more than five points. Penney was named to the All-NBL Second Team, Ogilvy and Lisch were selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Lisch won both the NBL Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player awards.

Illawarra opened its semifinal series against second-seeded Perth at Perth Arena, where Martin (4 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Coenraad (23 points and 3 rebounds), Penney (17 points) and Ogilvy (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Hawks, while Casey Prather (19 points), Jermaine Beal (18 points) and Tom Jervis (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth to an 80-68 victory. Lisch (2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) suffered a left ankle injury late in the opening quarter after stepping on Jesse Wagstaff’s foot in transition and returned to the bench in a moon boot and on crutches.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre with Lisch sidelined and Martin moving into the starting lineup, where Martin (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists), Forman (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Ogilvy (20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) and Penney (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Illawarra, while Prather (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth. The Hawks won 104-87 and levelled the series at 1-1.

Game three returned to Perth Arena, where Martin (11 points and 2 steals), Penney (18 points and 5 assists), Lisch (11 points) after returning from his ankle injury and Ogilvy (9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra, while Beal (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Wagstaff (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Matthew Knight (15 points and 9 rebounds) led Perth as the Wildcats defeated Illawarra 89-74 and won the series 2-1.

2016/17
After finishing third with a 17-11 record before losing its semifinal series to Perth in three games, Illawarra entered the 2016/17 season without reigning NBL MVP Kevin Lisch (to Sydney) and veteran Kirk Penney (to New Zealand). Lisch accepted a substantially larger offer from Sydney that the Hawks could not match, while coach Rob Beveridge strengthened the roster with Mitchell Norton (via Townsville) and Nicholas Kay (via Townsville) after the Crocodiles folded. Despite receiving higher financial offers elsewhere, both chose Illawarra after former Townsville coach Shawn Dennis recommended playing under Beveridge and signed two-year deals in April 2016. Beveridge also brought former Hawk and NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke (via Bonn) back to Wollongong, added Marvelle Harris (via Fresno State) and Michael Holyfield (via Los Angeles D-Fenders), while retaining AJ Ogilvy, Oscar Forman, Tim Coenraad, Cody Ellis and Kevin White.

After a knee injury had limited him to 18 games the previous season, Rhys Martin re-signed with Illawarra on a two-year deal in April 2016, continuing a run with the Hawks that had begun in 2008.

Illawarra opened the season against Adelaide at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 7, where Martin (2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) came off the bench as Clarke (23 points and 6 assists) and Harris (21 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) led the Hawks to a 122-88 victory, while Mitch Creek (24 points) was Adelaide’s leading scorer.

Martin (4.9 points and 1.2 steals across 34 games) appeared in every game Illawarra played, including all 28 regular-season games and all six playoff games, making five starts and leading the Hawks in steals. He did not miss a game through injury or illness as Illawarra struggled with its new group early and sat at the bottom of the ladder after the opening four rounds before recovering during the middle of the season.

Martin’s best game of the season came against New Zealand at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 20, where he made 5-of-7 shots and finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Illawarra defeated the Breakers 109-78. Clarke (22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Kay (17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Alex Pledger (16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led New Zealand. Harris suffered an ankle injury four minutes into the game and did not return, but the Hawks responded to an 85-100 loss in Auckland two days earlier and improved to 5-6.

Illawarra secured its finals place in the final regular-season game against Brisbane on February 11, where Martin (9 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Hawks defeat the Bullets 106-79 at WIN Entertainment Centre. Forman (26 points) made eight three-pointers and Clarke (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) also starred, while Torrey Craig (30 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane as Illawarra completed the regular season fourth with a 15-13 record.

Clarke (17.3 points across 34 games) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer and won the NBL Best Sixth Man award, while Ogilvy (11 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 34 games) anchored the frontcourt and was selected to the All-NBL First Team. Harris (10.4 points across 32 games), Kay (9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds across 34 games), Norton (8.2 points across 31 games), Coenraad (7.7 points across 34 games) and Forman (6.3 points across 34 games) provided the other major contributions.

Illawarra opened its semifinal series against minor premier Adelaide at Titanium Security Arena, where Martin (0 points and 1 rebound) fouled out in 12 minutes as the 36ers defeated the Hawks 93-78. Coenraad (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Clarke (10 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Jerome Randle (26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Nathan Sobey (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Adelaide.

Game two moved to WIN Entertainment Centre, where Martin (10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided a major lift from the bench as Illawarra defeated Adelaide 100-94 and levelled the series. Norton (17 points and 3 assists) and Coenraad (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Hawks, while Randle (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Daniel Johnson (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Adelaide.

The deciding game returned to Adelaide, where Martin (13 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 3 steals) made three three-pointers, including two during the opening quarter, as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 106-98 and advanced to its first Grand Final in seven years. Clarke (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Harris (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) led the Hawks, while Randle (26 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide. After Illawarra’s 21-point fourth-quarter lead was cut to five, Clarke found Martin for another three-pointer during the closing stages before the Hawks held on, with Beveridge saying, “It was never in doubt. I say that to my wife and kids all the time. It was heart attack material for a minute there.”

The Grand Final series opened at Perth Arena, where Martin (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) scored eight points during the opening quarter as Illawarra led 26-21 before Perth recovered to win 89-77. Ellis (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Clarke (11 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, and 1 steal) were among Illawarra’s other leading performers, while Casey Prather (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Matthew Knight (18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Bryce Cotton (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth.

Game two moved to WIN Entertainment Centre, where Martin (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 5 steals) created problems defensively but Perth again defeated Illawarra 89-77. Ogilvy (21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Clarke (21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led the Hawks, while Cotton (20 points and 3 steals), Prather (18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Angus Brandt (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) put Perth within one victory of the championship.

Game three returned to Perth Arena, where Martin (8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) contributed as Clarke (30 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Ogilvy (11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra, while Cotton (45 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) set a 40-minute NBL Grand Final scoring record and Prather (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support as Perth won 95-86, completed the 3-0 sweep and claimed its eighth NBL championship, with Cotton named Grand Final MVP.

2017/18
After finishing fourth with a 15-13 record and reaching the 2017 NBL Grand Final, where they were swept by Perth, Illawarra entered 2017/18 with Marvelle Harris (to Team Challenge ALS) and Michael Holyfield (to Beijing Dongfang) departing. Former NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke returned, while coach Rob Beveridge added Demitrius Conger (via Antwerp Giants) and Delvon Johnson (via Södertälje Kings). Beveridge said of Conger, “I always said we needed a stud three-man, and I feel very confident that we’ve found him.”

Rhys entered the second season of the two-year deal he had signed with Illawarra in April 2016, continuing a run with the Hawks that had begun in 2008.

Illawarra opened the season in Cairns on October 6, where Martin (1 point, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) came off the bench as Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block) and Clarke (22 points) led the Hawks, but Alex Loughton (19 points) helped Cairns hold on for an 88-87 win.

Martin (5.9 points and 1.3 steals across 28 games) appeared in all 28 games for Illawarra, making him one of four Hawks to play every game, and did not miss any games through injury.

Martin’s best game of the season came against Sydney at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 16, where he finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals without committing a turnover as Illawarra recovered from a 16-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to defeat the Kings 97-93 in overtime. Ogilvy (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Clarke (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Hawks, while Jerome Randle (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Sydney’s best in his first game for the Kings. Conger was later charged with striking Brad Newley during a hard screen in the same game and received a one-game suspension.

Illawarra lost starting point guard Mitchell Norton to a fractured thumb against Melbourne on December 4, with surgery ruling him out for six weeks. Indiana Faithfull (via Sydney Comets) was added on December 9 as injury cover and appeared in nine games before Norton returned in late January. Despite calls for his replacement during the season, Johnson (4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games) remained with the Hawks for the entire campaign and Illawarra made no mid-season import change.

On December 23, Martin (7 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal) helped Illawarra recover from a 16-point first-quarter deficit against defending champion Perth at WIN Entertainment Centre. Clarke (21 points and 6 assists) and Conger (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the comeback as the Hawks won 96-84, while JP Tokoto (27 points and 12 rebounds) was Perth’s best.

Conger (19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across 27 games) led Illawarra in scoring, finished second in NBL MVP voting and earned All-NBL First Team honours, while Clarke (18 points across 25 games), Kay (11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), Ogilvy (9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 22 games), Norton (7.8 points across 19 games), Coenraad (6.9 points across 28 games) and Ellis (6.7 points across 20 games) were the other major contributors. White (2.8 points across 26 games) served as captain, while Forman (3.7 points across 26 games) played his final NBL season.

The season proved to be Martin’s final NBL campaign. Illawarra and Martin parted ways on June 21 after 10 seasons together, and although he continued playing in the Queensland Basketball League with the Gold Coast Rollers, he did not return to the NBL.

Martin’s final NBL appearance came in Illawarra’s last game of the season against minor premier Melbourne at Hisense Arena on February 18, where Martin (7 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and a block) helped the Hawks defeat United 94-84. Kay (27 points, 7 rebounds, and a block) and Coenraad (24 points and 6 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Tai Wesley (14 points and 4 rebounds) was Melbourne’s equal-leading scorer as the Hawks finished fifth with a 12-16 record.

Rhys Martin played eleven seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Brisbane Bullets, Wollongong Hawks and Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 270 NBL games.