The NBA season has had many twists and turns during the first couple of months of the season due to the ongoing pandemic. One aspect of the season that can be viewed positively is that it has allowed fans to learn about some new players, including Cody Martin of Charlotte Hornets. He’s a 6’5” small forward who has played three seasons in the NBA, all for the Hornets.
He has taken on a greater role this year and is becoming one of the more intriguing swingmen in the game. Martin has provided some nice value this regular season while many members of the Charlotte Hornets have missed games, including Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier.
Cody Martin – Early Life
Are Caleb Martin and Cody Martin Brothers?
It is hard to do a recap of Cody Martin’s life and not mention his twin brother, Caleb Martin. The two boys grew up in North Carolina, which makes it ironic that Cody has spent his entire professional career in the state with the Hornets.
The Martin twins started their high school careers at Davie County, where they both put up a balanced line from a statistical perspective. Cody Martin averaged 15.9 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game during his time at Davie County. He also played football in his freshman season there, demonstrating that he was immensely gifted as an athlete.
Cody Martin – Oak Hill Academy
However, it was pretty clear early on that Cody Martin and his twin brother were big fish in a small pond and could play high school basketball on a more competitive level. They left Davie County to play for Oak Hill Academy, which is one of the most well-known high school basketball programs in the United States. In the last decade, guys like Harry Giles, Keldon Johnson, and Cole Anthony have played for Oak Hill. Martin and his brother had a great senior year there, as Cody would go on to average 13.4 points a game. Even though the Martin twins played their final season of high school in Virginia, it was always the plan for them to return back to their home state to play for the North Carolina State Wolfpack collegiately.
Cody Martin – College Career
North Carolina State
Cody Martin’s college career with the Wolfpack got off to an uninspiring start. He appeared in 19 games in his freshman season and averaged just over 11 minutes per game. In that time, he showed a knack for being a factor on the defensive end of the floor. Martin would get more opportunity to play in his sophomore season in 2015-2016, starting 16 games and averaging nearly 26 minutes per game. Martin averaged a modest six points per contest that year but also contributed 1.2 steals.
University of Nevada
Despite their initial desire to remain local, the twins reconsidered the trajectory of their college careers and decided that it made sense to play elsewhere after their first two seasons at North Carolina State. They elected to finish their college basketball careers at the University of Nevada and join the “wolfpack”. Cody Martin’s chance to shine was greatly increased, and he took full advantage of it.
In his junior and senior season at Nevada, he averaged no less than 34.4 minutes a night. The skills that he displayed on the defensive end in a small sample size with the Wolfpack were highlighted at Nevada, as he averaged 1.7 and 1.4 steals per game in his last two years. Martin also became a much more potent scorer, putting up 14 points and 12 points per game as a junior and a senior.
Cody Martin – Recruiting
Nevada head coach Eric Musselman had an interesting approach to attracting the brothers to the program. Caleb was usually the brother who got the most attention, so Musselman decided to pursue Cody strongly, instead. He knew that doing so would endear the family to the program, and it turned out that the strategy was successful.
Cody Martin – NCAA Tournament Run
Heading into the 2018 NCAA Tournament, not much was expected from the Wolfpack. They were deemed a seven seed in the south region but had a much more exciting run than people expected. They defeated the University of Texas and the University of Cincinnati to advance to the Sweet 16. Cody Martin nearly led his team to the Elite 8, but the team came up just short against the University of Loyola Chicago.
Cody Martin – Charlotte Hornets Tenure
2019 Draft
Without a strong finish to his college career at Nevada, it is unlikely that the Charlotte Hornets, or many other teams, would have considered Cody Martin to be a viable NBA draft pick. Martin’s momentum during his final two college campaigns led to him being selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft. His attention to detail as a defensive player and improved skill on the offensive end during March Madness tournaments is what led him to be drafted in the second round.
Are the Martin twins in the NBA?
Although his brother put up similar numbers in college, Caleb Martin was not drafted. However, the two brothers found themselves spending the first two years of their careers playing for the Hornets. Caleb is currently on the Miami Heat roster.
Cody Martin – Early NBA Career
Cody Martin has been playing for the Hornets for three seasons. His basketball reference page reads quite similarly to the type of production he put up in college, with regards to his continued development. In his first two professional seasons, Martin never averaged more than five points, two assists, or three rebounds a game. However, like his time at North Carolina State, he never really had the chance to flourish, averaging only 17.5 minutes in games he appeared in.
Cody Martin – This Season
Due to a variety of circumstances surrounding the Charlotte Hornets this regular season, Martin’s playing time has jumped way up. Filling in at several positions, he has posted a career-high in pretty much every statistical category. This has made him a popular pickup in fantasy basketball since his well-rounded play has created much fantasy value. Of particular note, he is shooting around 50% from three-point range, which would have been difficult to predict heading into the year.
Cody Martin has been pressed into heavy-duty with his team short-handed in November and December. In December alone, he had four games where he has logged over 40 minutes a night. It’ll be interesting to see whether Martin remains a mainstay in the rotation when the Hornets get healthy.
Cody Martin Moving Forward
Unfortunately for Martin, his recent hot streak has been cut short. He entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, so he will be missing a few games towards the end of December. But he has shown that he belongs in the league, even if it took him a few years. His track record indicates that he improves every year, and will likely have a chance to be a solid role player on a playoff team.
Cody Martin – Rest Of Season Outlook
The swingman’s versatility will bode well for him as the season progress. While he is not exactly a true point guard, Martin has the ability to guard the perimeter well and make life difficult for opposing offensive players. He probably won’t be a player that nears double-double territory on a nightly basis, but he has been a suitable rebounder this year. Martin has posted eight rebounds in a game five times so far. If any of the Hornets’ main stars misses time, Martin stands to be one of the first options for head coach James Borrego.
Cody Martin – Contract
Cody Martin is set to earn just over $1.7 million this year. After the Hornets season comes to an end, they will have to make a decision on the former Nevada star. He is set to be a restricted free agent, which means that any team in the NBA can offer Martin a contract, but the Hornets have the right to match in order to keep him around.
How much does Cody Martin make?
Cody Martin’s contract with the Charlotte Hornets is for 4 years and is worth $31,360,000, with $22,680,000 of that amount guaranteed. His annual average salary adds up to $7,840,000, with a base salary of $7,000,000 for the 2022-23 season, and a cap hit and dead cap value of $7,000,000 each.
Are the Martin twins in the NBA?
Yes, Caleb Martin is a member of the Miami Heat, while his twin brother Cody Martin plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
