From a childhood full of struggles to being a cherished NBA player, Caleb Martin has a lot to inspire the youths with. The American basketball small forward/power forward plays for Miami Heat (2021- now).
Undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Martin played with Charlotte Hornets before Miami Heat claimed him off the waiver in 2021.
Later, the Heat converted his two-way deal into a standard NBA deal & signed him on a three-year contract that runs throughout the 2024-25 season.
In his NBA career journey, Martin has faced setbacks with many injuries, but it didn’t let down his spirit.
Raised in poverty by a single mother who worked three jobs to put food on the table, Caleb knows the family value & their importance.
With his identical twin brother Cody Martin, who is also a basketball player, he gifted a car to his mother.
Want to know more about Caleb along with his family, net worth & relationship? Here we have everything you need to know about the basketball star.
Quick Facts
Full Name | Caleb Martin |
Nick Name | Red Bull |
Date of Birth | September 28, 1995 |
Age | 29 Years Old |
Birth Place | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Mixed |
Father’s Name | Not known |
Mother’s Name | Jenny Bennett |
Siblings | Two brothers |
Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Height | 6 feet 5 inches /1.96 m/196 cm |
Weight | 93 kg/ 205 lbs |
High School |
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University |
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Religion | Christianity |
Girlfriend | N/A |
Children | None |
Profession | Basketball player |
NBA Draft | Undrafted |
League | NBA |
Position | Small forward |
Team |
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Jersey Number | 16 |
Playing Career | 2019-present |
Net Worth | $5 Million |
Social Media | Instagram, Facebook |
Merch | Not available |
Last Update | October 2024 |
Challenging Childhood & Poverty
Born on September 28, 1995, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Martin is one of three children to Jenny Bennett, who raised them as a single mother.
His father was never there for them; not much about him is known except he is African-American.
Caleb grew up with his older brother Raheem and a twin brother Cody Martin, an NBA player who plays for the Hornets.
His big bro Raheem joined as the Director of Recruiting at Appalachian State University in October 2022 & works there ever since.
The NBA player’s childhood was filled with hardships and obstacles.
His family lived in a tiny, 300-square-foot trailer. The cramped living conditions were made even worse by the infestation of insects in the trailer.
At one point, the three brothers shared a single room with just one bed, meaning they had to rotate sleeping on the mattress and the floor.
Struggles of Martin’s Mother Jenny As A Single Mother
As reported, Caleb’s mother was kicked out of her house after she became a single mother in her teens. Following two years, she welcomed twins: Caleb & his brother Cody, which added even more responsibilities.
So to support her own family, she worked three jobs, including as a scan analyst at a local grocery store.
Jenny would be up at 2 o’clock in the morning for work & be back by afternoon to pick up her sons from school.
To ensure that her boys were full, she often skipped meals.
Growing up in the South as a white mother to biracial kids, life was even more difficult for Jenny. She experienced racism and discrimination but never let it bring her down.
Jenny taught her sons the importance of work ethic, sacrifice, integrity, and perseverance. She showed them unconditional love and affection and was a positive role model.
Her sons are now doing wonders in the NBA, thanks to her sacrifices!
Details On Twin Brother Cody Martin
The Miami Heat power forward’s brother Cody Martin is his identical twin. They even are alike in terms of taste for sports & dedication to their family.
Both of them play basketball & have been each other’s biggest supporters.
Cody Martin (b. September 28, 1995) is older than Caleb by 1 minute.
He currently plays as a small forward for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA after they picked him in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
After attending Oak Hill Academy, Cody went to North Carolina State University before transferring to the University of Nevada.
In July 2022, he signed a four-year extension worth $32 million with the Hornets.
How Do You Distinguish Between Two Brothers?
At a glance, it could be a challenge to tell any difference between Caleb and Cody Martin, but on a closer look, they have subtle differences.
Caleb has piercings in his ears, while Cody has a small birthmark under his eye. Likewise, Caleb has a narrow face, while Cody’s face is more round.
Additionally, the twins have different tattoos that can help distinguish between the two.
Although many people mix them up, the twins take it in stride, recognizing that it’s a common mistake.
College Basketball Career
Along with his twin brother Cody, Caleb was a basketball powerhouse at Davie County High School & Oak Hill Academy.
Later, he committed to North Carolina State University & played for two seasons (in 2014 & 2015).
Then, Martin transferred to the University of Nevada, and as a result of NCAA transfer rules, he red-shirted the 2016-17 season.
With Nevada Wolf Pack, Caleb Martin averaged 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds & 2.6 assists per game as a junior in the 2017-18 season.
During his senior year, the future NBA player averaged 19.2 points per game (a total of 654 points), along with 5.1 rebounds & 2.8 assists.
Highlights & Awards
- 2018 Mountain West Player of the Year (2018)
- 2× First-team All-Mountain West (2019 & 2018)
- 2018 Mountain West Newcomer of the Year
NBA Career & Controversies
Caleb Martin went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, but his NBA dream came true after Charlotte Hornets signed him.
There, he joined his twin brother Cody & played for two seasons: the 2020 & 2021 seasons, having made his NBA debut on October 25, 2019, in a loss against LA Lakers.
While with the Hornets, he also played for its G-league team Greensboro Swarm on a two-way contract.
In 2021, the Hornets waived him, which followed his signing with Miami Heat on a two-way contract.
The two-way deal was later converted to a standard deal. In July 2022, Caleb re-signed with the Miami Heat for a three-year, $20 million deal.
With the Heat, Martin played his first-ever playoffs in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, where they lost to Boston in the Conference Finals.
On December 8, 2021, the 1.96 m tall player scored his career-high 28 points, leading the Heat to a 113-104 win over the Bucks.
Controversies
Caleb Martin has had a few controversies during his NBA career. On October 22, 2022, he was involved in an on-court altercation with Toronto Raptors center Christian Koloko.
This resulted in Martin being suspended for one game and fined $44,683, while his teammate Nikola Jović also received a one-game suspension for leaving the bench area.
Another incident happened on December 30, 2020, when he was fined $20,000 for an altercation during a Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets game.
Is Caleb Martin Dating Anyone?
Martin, who is 29 years old, prefers to keep his personal life low-key. With promising games & a progressive career, it’s obvious that fans are willing to know about his relationship.
While the NBA openly shows his adoration for his family & often mentions them on his social media, he remains tight-lipped about his dating life.
So far, there are no reports of Caleb’s girlfriend or any past relationship. Some sources even alleged that he is single, but he has not confirmed it either.
Rather he keeps updating his basketball journey on his Instagram & Facebook.
As of this writing, the Heat small forward has more than 85.1K followers on his IG handle @caleb_martin10.
Net Worth & Contracts
As of 2024, Caleb Martin has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Most of his earnings came through NBA contracts that pocket him millions of dollars annually.
On October 19, 2019, he signed a $4.2 million three-year contract with the Hornets but went to Miami after two seasons.
The Charlotte Hornets paid him a base salary of $842K in the 2019-20 season & $1.5 million in the 2020-21 season.
He spent the 2021-22 season on a two-way contract with the Heat, earning $527K.
On July 6, 2022, Martin signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $20.41 million contract with Miami Heat that averaged his annual paycheck at $6.8 million.
For the 2022-23 season, his salary was $6.47 million, which will be $6.8 million in the 2023-24 season.
By the time the basketball star’s contract with the Heat ends, he will have career earnings of $23.29 million.
Interesting Facts
- Caleb Martin and his brother Cody have been organizing annual basketball skills camp for the past two years in Reno, Nevada. They aim to give back to the community by teaching kids how to stay in shape, dribble, shoot, and defend while prioritizing having fun as a top priority.
- After his rookie year in the NBA, Celeb bought his mother an SUV, even though he had little money left over from his two-way contract.
- Caleb Martin loves fashion and showcases his style through his outfits. He even has a special highlight on his Instagram account dedicated solely to his fashionable “fits.”
- Caleb has been nicknamed “Red Bull” by his teammates. This nickname was given to him because of his energetic and high-flying style of play, which is reminiscent of the well-known energy drink’s advertising slogan, “Red Bull gives you wings.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the jersey number of Caleb Martin?
Caleb Martin wears jersey number 16 for the Miami Heat. He plays as the power forward/small forward.
Was Celeb Martin out?
Celeb missed five games in January 2023 due to a quadriceps strain. However, the player is back and playing now.