There are no overnight success stories…. it’s years of perseverance, consistent performance, sleepless nights, and still not getting recognized!
Yesterday’s Game 7 between Miami Heat and Boston Celtics exhibited a live example of rising from the ashes. All eyes, gasps, groans, and cheers on the court were directed toward one man of the hour– Caleb Martin.
Caleb Martin, born on September 28, 1995, is one of those many NBA stories where one chance can make or break a life. Martin scored 26 points and retrieved 10 rebounds in his 45-min gameplay. Every time he grabbed the ball, he commanded the opponent and demanded a score!
Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin’s partnership was a choreography where each knew when to lead and when to assist. Although Butler was awarded the Eastern Conference MVP trophy, Marin became the crowd favorite instantly. Butler hyped Martin in his interview, saying he knew Martin’s potential.
And throughout the Game 7 series, Caleb Martin scored 135 points, averaging 19.3 points on 60% shooting in the Conference Finals– which, mind you, 60% has only been achieved by six players before.
So who is this knight in shining armor just getting his deserved recognition? Diving deep into one of the most inspiring stories–
Where Is Caleb Martin From? Caleb Martin High School Life
Caleb Martin hails from Mocksville, North Carolina. He attended Oak Hill Academy with his twin brother Cody Martin. His 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) stature played at a Small Forward position. Before this, the twins also played at Dave County High School in Mockscille for three seasons.
Caleb started playing during his freshman year of high school. His stellar performance got him a 4-star recruit, and he committed to North Carolina State University.
Where Did Caleb Martin Go to College?
His North Carolina State College career kickstarted his journey into a seasoned player. But soon after, he transferred to Nevada.
He leads his team, Wolf Pack, excelling above expectations. Consequently, he earned the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year title.
How Did Caleb Martin Get Into NBA?
With such staggering records, one would think that Caleb would get drafted to the big leagues. However, as his fate goes, he was undrafted and entered NBA in 2019 with no guarantees.
He later signed with Charlotte Hornets as an undrafted free agent while being benched for most games. The Hornets let him go just after two seasons.
How Did Caleb Martin Get Selected for Miami Heat?
Even after being let go in 2021, Caleb kept persisting toward his goal. But with a fortunate chance, he caught the eye of someone no one could have believed.
J. Cole, the rapper, songwriter, and avid Basketball fan, recognized Caleb’s talent and determination. He called the assistant coach of the Miami Heat, Caron Butler, to get Martin a chance. He then passed on the information to Erik Spoelstra, who asked him to show up for scrimmaging.
Caleb recalls the fateful event–
“I got waived from the Hornets, and I’m going with my trainer; we work there at Cole’s gym, and he has seen me play every day playing pickup with him and some of the other guys.
“He was like, ‘Man, Imma reach out to a couple of contacts.’ I don’t know what he meant and who he knows, but anything will help at this point.”
And the rest is history… and still, a long way to create his legacy!
Martin reflects on his roller-coaster journey after the epic Game 7 performance–
“I definitely reflect on where I started and the journey it’s taken to get here, and even as early as the two-way last year.”
“But I think more than anything; it’s kind of a weird feeling because I’m also understanding that as happy as I am, as grateful I am to be here, I also understand that we have four more. The job is not done. We didn’t go through what we went through all the regular season and my personal journey to stop here.”
Caleb Marin Stats for the Game 7:
- Game One: 15 PTS | 6/11 FG | 3 3PT
- Game Two: 25 PTS | 11/16 FG | 3 3PT
- Game Three: 18 PTS | 7/11 FG | 4 3PT
- Game Four: 16 PTS | 6/9 FG | 2 3PT
- Game Five: 14 PTS | 5/12 FG | 2 3PT
- Game Six: 21 PTS | 7/13 FG | 4 3PT
- Game Seven: 26 PTS | 11/16 FG | 4 3PT
With such records, we are looking forward to his next play against Denver Nuggets. What do you think of Caleb’s journey? Should he have been drafted after his college career?
What did you think of his game 7 performance? Do you think he should have won the MVP trophy?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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