Kelan Martin

Kelan Martin turned 31 the same week the Hawks confirmed his signing, which feels about right for a player whose whole career has been a study in timing. Not the electric, one-off kind. The durable kind. The kind that gets a player through Butler, three NBA franchises, and three seasons in Turkey's brutal top flight without ever needing to be the headline to be essential.

Butler, And The Company He Kept

His senior year at Butler produced 21.2 points and 6.3 rebounds a game, an All-Big East First Team selection, and an All-American honourable mention from the Associated Press.

He shared that Big East honour with a couple of names that turned out fairly well for themselves: Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, both now NBA champions.

Martin led the Bulldogs to a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in the process. He was never the loudest name in that class. He was one of the most productive.

Three Franchises, One Identity

Minnesota, Boston, Indiana. Three different NBA jerseys, the same forward underneath them: a versatile scorer comfortable putting the ball on the floor, finishing at the rim, or stepping out to NBA three point range. His career high, 25 points against Cleveland while playing for the Pacers in May 2021, is the kind of number that reminds you the talent was always there, waiting for the right run of minutes.

Physicality, Imported

Three seasons in Turkey's top flight with Karşıyaka and Beşiktaş, including EuroCup minutes with Beşiktaş and UCAM Murcia, have sharpened the physical edge that Hawks head of basketball operations Mat Campbell was clearly buying into. "Kelan is a proven competitor who plays with intent and physicality," Campbell said of the signing. "His experience at the highest levels will be a major asset." It's not a marquee statement built for headlines. It's a coach describing exactly what he needs and confirming he's got it.

Career Snapshot In Numbers

NBA – Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers; career high 25 points (vs Cleveland, 10 May 2021, with Indiana)College (Butler, senior year) – 21.2 pts, 6.3 reb, All-Big East First Team, AP All-American Honourable MentionEurope – 3 seasons Turkish Super Lig (Karşıyaka, Beşiktaş); EuroCup with Beşiktaş (2024/25) and UCAM Murcia (2025/26)

A forward built for the physical end of the game is exactly what Illawarra just signed up for.