Latest news with #AlijahMartin
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pros and cons of Toronto Raptors taking Florida basketball G Alijah Martin in 2025 NBA Draft
Florida basketball guard Alijah Martin was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft (39th overall) by the Toronto Raptors on June 26. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Martin averaged a career-high 14.4 points per game for the Florida Gators in 2024-25, helping lead UF to a 36-4 record and its third national title in school history. Advertisement "It's a bunch of emotions, excited, nervous," Martin told ESPN shortly after he was picked. "Just ready to get to the next level." A transfer from Florida Atlantic, Martin brought a rugged competitiveness to both ends of the floor. He ranked second on the Gators with 56 steals. Martin's perimeter defense helped UF improve its defensive efficiency from 94th in the country (per KenPom) in 2023-24 to sixth in the country (per KenPom) in 2025. In April, Martin became the first player in college basketball history to start for two Final Four teams, first with the Owls in 2023 and then the Gators in 2025. Overall, Martin totaled 2,022 points, 786 rebounds, 321 3-point field goals, 253 assists and 211 steals over his five collegiate seasons at FAU and Florida. Advertisement Martin joins Walter Clayton Jr. (18th overall, traded to Utah Jazz) as the second UF player taken in the NBA Draft. Here's a look at the pros and cons of the Raptors drafting Martin: Positives Martin proved his mettle in the clutch, sinking a pair of go-ahead free throws with 46.5 seconds left in UF's eventual 65-63 national title win over Houston. A high-level athlete, Martin plays bigger than his 6-foot-2 fame, as his 29 dunks ranked second on the team. Part of that high-level athleticism comes from Martin's football background, as he passed for more than 2,100 yards and 20 TDs and rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 13 TDs as a dual-threat quarterback at North Pike (Miss.) High School. Advertisement Offensively, Martin showed his ability to score from the 3-point line (81-230, 35.2%) and free-throw line (91-121, 75.2%) in his lone season at UF and wasn't afraid to mix it up on the boards (4.5 rebounds per game, 49 offensive rebounds). He scored in double figures in 31 of 38 games, including a season-high 32-point outing against Southern Illinois on Nov. 22, 2024. Martin was often credited by Florida basketball coach Todd Golden for the improving the physical and mental toughness for the Gators during their national championship season. Concerns Martin's size (6-2) still isn't ideal for a shooting guard/wing player at the NBA level, and he's not a reliable enough ballhandler (85-55 assist-to-turnover ratio) to play the point. He's a streaky 3-point shooter who at times can display questionable shot selection. As a junior in 2023-24, Martin shot just 33.8% from 3-point range before transferring to UF. Final thoughts Martin has proven to be a winning player wherever he's suited up, helping lift FAU from obscurity to the Final Four in 2023 before emerging as one of the key additions to lead UF to a national title in 2025. He will likely bring those same winning intangibles to an NBA roster. Advertisement Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@ Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators' national championship basketball season in 'CHOMP-IONS!' — a hardcover coffee-table collector's book from The Sun. Details at This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Toronto Raptors pick Florida basketball's Alijah Martin in 2025 NBA Draft
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida basketball summer league update: Alijah Martin shines in Toronto Raptors debut
Alijah Martin's NBA Summer League debut with the Toronto Raptors could not have gone any better. Martin finished with 16 points off the bench on July 11, lifting the Raptors to a 116-72 win over the Chicago Bulls. Advertisement The former Florida basketball guard went 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range while adding five rebounds, five assists and two steals, displaying the athleticism that prompted the Raptors to select the 6-foot-2 Martin in the second round (39th overall) of the NBA Draft. Martin announced his presence with authority, slamming home a high-flying dunk for his first summer league basket, similar to the dunks he put on display for the Florida Gators during the Final Four in San Antonio. Martin was a key cog both offensively and defensively during UF's run to a third national title in school history, averaging 14.4 points and 4.5 rebounds with 56 steals. Advertisement Here's a look at how other former UF basketball players have fared so far in NBA summer league action: Walter Clayton Jr. Clayton finished with 21 points in his summer league debut with the Utah Jazz, going 8-of-17 from the field and 4-of-10 from 3-point range, Clayton added six rebounds and three assists, playing both on-and-off the ball for the Jazz in their 111-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. A first-team All-American and the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, Clayton was taken in the first round (19th overall) by the Jazz last month. Will Richard Richard is averaging 13.0 points in two summer league games with the Golden State Warriors. He's getting to the free throw line and converting, going 11-for-11 in games against the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz Advertisement In addition to scoring, Richard has been strong on the boards (5.0 rebounds per game) and defensively (3.0 steals per game) in summer league play, The Warriors selected Richard in the second round with the 56th overall pick. Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@ Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators' national championship basketball season in 'CHOMP-IONS!' — a hardcover coffee-table collector's book from The Sun. Details at This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Updating how former Florida basketball players have performed in NBA Summer League
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raptors' Alijah Martin lights up Summer League with massive poster dunk
The post Raptors' Alijah Martin lights up Summer League with massive poster dunk appeared first on ClutchPoints. Alijah Martin created an incredible highlight during his NBA Summer League debut in Friday's matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls. Advertisement Martin made his debut after the Raptors selected him 39th overall in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He ended an marvelous collegiate career where he made two Final Four appearances with the Florida Atlantic Owls and Florida Gators. His second attempts saw him win the national championship, playing a key role as a full-time starter. During the second quarter of the game, Martin's first made shot was a fierce poster dunk. He was on the perimeter as he drove into the paint and jumped in the air to throw down the one-hander. How Alijah Martin, Raptors played against Bulls Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Alijah Martin had his moments as he helped the Raptors dominate the Bulls 116-72 on Friday night. Advertisement The game started out as initially close with the Bulls up 24-21 after the first quarter. Toronto responded in strong fashion, outscoring their opponents for the remainder of the game. This was especially the case in the second quarter, where the Raptors limited the opposing squad to nine points. The Raptors were red-hot with their shot selection for the entire contest. They shot 51.8% overall, including 40.6% from downtown. This was in stark contrast to Chicago's woeful shooting splits of 30.9% and 26.9%. Five players scored in double-digits on Toronto's behalf, including Martin. He finished with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. He shot 6-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. AJ Lawson led the team in scoring with 22 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Jonathan Mogbo had 15 points, Jamison Battle put up 13 points, while Ja'Kobe Walter provided 12 points. The Raptors will prepare for their next matchup in Las Vegas. They face the Orlando Magic on July 13 at 6 p.m. ET. Advertisement Related: The move Toronto Raptors still must make in 2025 NBA free agency
Edmonton Journal
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Raptors sign second-round pick Alijah Martin, add forward David Roddy
The Toronto Raptors continued to flesh out their roster by signing Alijah Martin and David Roddy, the NBA team announced Thursday. Article content The Raptors signed Martin, a six-foot-two, 208-pound guard, to a two-way contract after he was selected by the Raptors in the second round (39th overall) in the 2025 NBA draft. Article content Martin spent last season with the 2025 NCAA-champion Florida Gators, averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 30.4 minutes in 38 games (36 starts). Article content Article content He shot 45.2 per cent from the field, including 35 per cent from three-point range, and reached double figures in 31 contests. Article content Article content Martin, from Summit, Miss., played four seasons (2020-24) at Florida Atlantic University before transferring to Florida. Article content Martin is one of just four players in NCAA Division l history to reach the Final Four with two different programs. Article content Roddy, a six-foot-five, 255-pound forward, averaged 4.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 12.4 minutes in 33 games (three starts) with Atlanta, Philadelphia and Houston last season. Article content He shot a career-best .456 (57-125) from the field and scored in double figures six times. Article content
Toronto Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Raptors sign second-round pick Alijah Martin, add forward David Roddy
Published Jul 10, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 1 minute read Florida's Alijah Martin cuts down the net after Florida beat Houston in the national championship at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio. Photo by Eric Gay / AP The Toronto Raptors continued to flesh out their roster by signing Alijah Martin and David Roddy, the NBA team announced Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Raptors signed Martin, a six-foot-two, 208-pound guard, to a two-way contract after he was selected by the Raptors in the second round (39th overall) in the 2025 NBA draft. Martin spent last season with the 2025 NCAA-champion Florida Gators, averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 30.4 minutes in 38 games (36 starts). He shot 45.2 per cent from the field, including 35 per cent from three-point range, and reached double figures in 31 contests. Martin, from Summit, Miss., played four seasons (2020-24) at Florida Atlantic University before transferring to Florida. As a junior, he earned all-Conference USA honours and helped lead the Owls to a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Martin is one of just four players in NCAA Division l history to reach the Final Four with two different programs. Roddy, a six-foot-five, 255-pound forward, averaged 4.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 12.4 minutes in 33 games (three starts) with Atlanta, Philadelphia and Houston last season. He shot a career-best .456 (57-125) from the field and scored in double figures six times. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Roddy was selected 23rd overall by the 76ers in the 2022 NBA draft before his rights were acquired by Memphis. He was recently reacquired by Atlanta as part of the seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston and was subsequently waived. Toronto & GTA Celebrity Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
