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N.J. Nets’ Kenyon Martin To Join 2003 USA Senior National Team, Replacing Olympian Karl Malone

USA Basketball announced Tuesday that New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin has been added to the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team replacing two-time Olympian Karl Malone (Los Angeles Lakers). Malone left the USA team during its training in New York on Aug. 13 and returned to Arkansas after learning of the death of his mother, Shirley Jackson Malone.

“This is somewhat unexpected, but it is a great opportunity for Kenyon. He’s certainly deserving of this kind of honor and we’re looking forward to having him join the team,” said USA and Detroit Pistons head mentor Larry Brown.

“We really wanted Karl to be here, but he suffered such an unbelievable loss. He is so close to his family that he just couldn’t be here and it was more important for him to be with his family and we all understand that. He’ll be remembered here and hopefully he’ll be part of our team in 2004 if we’re lucky enough to qualify,” added Brown.

Martin, who is expected to join the team late Tuesday morning in San Juan, was just married Saturday in Las Vegas. Martin was selected for the 2003 Senior National Team only, while Malone will retain his roster spot on the 2004 USA Olympic squad if the USA qualifies.

“This is a great opportunity. I’m very pleased to be added to the team,” said Martin. “I already have a couple of my teammates on the team so we should have a lot of fun. I’m happy to do my duty for my country.”

The 2003 USA Senior National Team was selected by the USA Basketball Senior National Team Committee which is chaired by Stu Jackson, the NBA’s Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The 2003 USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team will participate in the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament that begins Wednesday, Aug. 20, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The top three finishers in the 10-nation Americas qualifying tournament will earn a qualification spot for the Aug. 13-29, 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Martin has played on two previous USA Basketball teams and is the 10th member of the 2003 USA Senior Team who possesses prior USA Basketball experience. Also owning USA Basketball experience are 2003 teammates Ray Allen (Seattle SuperSonics), Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings), Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers), Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors), Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs), Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets) and Jermaine O’Neal (Indiana Pacers). He also becomes the third New Jersey Net on the roster, joining Kidd and Richard Jefferson.

Martin earned his first taste of international basketball in 1999 as a member of USA Basketball’s World University Games Team that finished 8-0 and won gold. Starting all eight games, Martin averaged team bests of 13.9 ppg. and 6.6 rpg., and shot 62.0 percent (49-79 FGs) from the field. Two years later, Martin added another gold medal as a member of the 2001 USA Goodwill Games Team that finished 5-0 and featured young NBA players. Martin averaged 11.6 ppg. (fourth high on team), 4.4 rpg. (tied for third on the team), while shooting 68.6 percent (24-35 FGs) during the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia.

Martin in 2002-03 started all 77 games he played in and helped lead New Jersey to the NBA Finals. Averaging during the regular season 16.7 ppg. (41st in the NBA), while adding 8.3 rpg. (16th in the NBA), 2.4 apg. and 1.27 steals a game (41st in the NBA), the 6-9 forward hit on 47.0 percent (tied for 28th in the NBA) from the field.

During the 2003 playoffs, Martin’s numbers over the course of 20 games jumped to 18.9 ppg. (19th in the NBA Playoffs), 9.4 rpg. (9th in the NBA Playoffs), 2.9 apg., 1.55 bpg. and 1.45 spg., while making 45.3 percent from the floor.

Selected by the New Jersey Nets as the first pick overall of the 2000 NBA Draft, Martin was named in 2001 All-Rookie First Team after averaging 12.0 ppg., 7.4 rpg., 1.9 apg., 1.66 bpg. and 1.15 spg.