The last American college senior to be the top NBA draft pick
In short: Kenyon Martin's path to the NBA was defined by a singular, historic distinction. Before he became a staple of the league's frontcourt, he had to overcome homesickness and a career-altering injury to secure a spot that no other American college senior has claimed since.
Drafted first overall in 2000 by the New Jersey Nets, Kenyon Martin holds a unique place in basketball history. As of 2026, he remains the last American-born college senior to be selected as the top overall pick in the NBA draft. This distinction underscores his status as a premier talent of his era, following a standout career at the University of Cincinnati where he was named the consensus National Player of the Year.
His journey was not without significant hurdles. During his freshman year, Martin struggled with homesickness and briefly took a bus back to Dallas. It took the intervention of his mother and sister—both working two jobs—to steer him back to school. Once settled, he became a dominant force, leading the Bearcats to a 29–4 record in 1999–2000. However, his collegiate peak was cut short just three minutes into the Conference USA Tournament when he suffered a broken leg, a setback that sidelined him from the NCAA Tournament.
Martin's professional career was marked by both high-level success and physical adversity. He helped lead the Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals and was an All-Star in 2004. Yet, he faced grueling health challenges, becoming believed to be the first NBA player to undergo and return from microfracture surgery on both knees. Despite these physical tolls and a brief stint in China with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, Martin's career spanned 15 seasons, concluding with a retirement announcement in July 2015.
Beyond the stats, Martin's legacy includes a notable moment of personal growth. After a controversial interaction involving a teammate's illness, Martin publicly apologized and now participates in that teammate's annual charity basketball game. His influence persists through his son, Kenyon Martin Jr., who was selected in the 2020 NBA draft.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kenyon Martin
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