Illawarra Hawks sign Kelan Martin for NBL27

The 198cm forward arrives in Wollongong from Spanish powerhouse league the Liga ACB, where he spent the back half of last season with UCAM Murcia, and brings NBA experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.

Martin can get buckets from everywhere. He creates his own shot off the dribble, shoots it with genuine NBA three-point range, and throws it down with authority at the rim. In between, he finishes with a floater Hawkheads will recognise straight away. It's Tyler Harvey-esque.

He has spent the past two seasons competing in the EuroCup, one of the toughest club competitions outside the NBA, first with Turkish giants Beşiktaş in 2024/25, then with Murcia in 2025/26. Before Spain, he spent three seasons in the Turkish top flight with Karşıyaka and Beşiktaş. Martin turned 31 this week and has been on Mat Campbell's radar for several seasons. This off-season, the stars finally aligned.

“Kelan is a proven competitor who plays with intent and physicality. His experience at the highest levels of the game will be a major asset to our group,” Campbell said. “We’re excited to welcome him to the Illawarra, pending league approval.”

First Team Alongside Jalen Brunson

Martin's college resume speaks for itself. In his senior year at Butler he averaged 21.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, started all 35 games, and finished second in the Big East in scoring while leading the Bulldogs to a fourth straight NCAA Tournament.

That season earned him All-American honourable mention from the Associated Press and a spot on the All-Big East First Team, named alongside two players who are now NBA champions: New York Knicks Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges.

The Butler Connection

Hawkheads with long memories know what a Butler product can do in red and black.

A Bulldog to wear our colours last decade was Rotnei Clarke, and he did more than wear them. Clarke arrived in 2013/14 under Gordie McLeod, became the offensive catalyst of that team from day one, and walked away with the 2013/14 NBL Most Valuable Player award and All-NBL First Team honours in his debut season. He loved it here enough to come back, returning for 2016/17 and 2017/18 and adding NBL Best Sixth Man in 2017 across an 89-game Hawks career.

Martin walked a different path from the Butler to the Illawarra, but he arrives with the same job description: put points on the board.

Built for the NBL

At 198cm and 104kg, Martin is the modern four. He stretches the floor, punishes switches, rebounds his position, and has scored at every level he has played: college, the NBA, the G League, Turkey and Spain.

His biggest NBA night came on 10th May 2021, playing for Indiana Pacers, Martin dropped a career-high 25 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

We will see him in red and black soon. Our home NBL27 campaign opens against the Adelaide 36ers on Friday 2nd October at WIN Entertainment Centre.

That's who's wearing red and black this season. Come see him do it in person in NBL27, starting soon.

Illawarra Roster for NBL27

Kyle Adnam (NRP), Todd Blanchfield, Darius Days, Amarco Doyle (DP), Milton Doyle, Sam Froling, Daniel Grida, Tyler Harvey, Davo Hickey, Kelan Martin*, Johny Narkle, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

*pending NBL approval

Preseason at The Snakepit

Thursday 13th August. Doors 6:15pm. Tip-off 7:00pm.  

The Snakepit hosts the Illawarra Hawks against Saint Mary's Gaels of California, and this is more than a warm-up game. It's the first look at the roster that carries the red and black through NBL27.

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