Fernando Martín (basketball) facts for kids
Fernando Martín Espina during a game
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | March 25, 1962 Madrid, Spain |
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| Nationality | Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | December 3, 1989 (aged 27) Madrid, Spain |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1985 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38th overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the New Jersey Nets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1979–1989 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1979–1981 | Estudiantes Mudespa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1986 | Real Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1987 | Portland Trail Blazers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1989 | Real Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Fernando Martín Espina (born March 25, 1962 – died December 3, 1989) was a famous Spanish professional basketball player. Many people thought he was one of the best Spanish basketball players ever.
Fernando Martín was 2.06 meters (6 feet 9 inches) tall. He usually played as a center or power forward. He was a very talented athlete in many sports. He won five Spanish championships in swimming. He was also good at handball, table tennis, and judo.
He wore the number 10 jersey when he played for Real Madrid. After he passed away, Real Madrid decided that no other player would wear his number 10 jersey. In 1991, he was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players. In 2007, he joined the FIBA Hall of Fame, which is a special honor for basketball legends.
Playing in the NBA
Fernando Martín made history in 1986. He became the first Spanish player to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States. He was also only the second European player to join the league.
He played for the Portland Trail Blazers. Before that, he played in Spain for teams like Estudiantes and Real Madrid. During the 1986–87 NBA season, he played in 24 games for the Blazers. He had an injury that kept him out for two months. After that season, he went back to Spain and played for Real Madrid again.
Playing for Spain
Fernando Martín also played for the senior Spanish national team. He was a very important player for Spain.
He helped his country win a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. He also played in the 1981 EuroBasket, the 1983 EuroBasket, and the 1985 EuroBasket. At the 1983 EuroBasket, he won another silver medal. In 1985, he was chosen for the EuroBasket All-Tournament Team, which means he was one of the best players in the whole tournament.
His Legacy
Fernando Martín sadly died in a car accident on the M-30 motorway in Madrid. His death was a huge shock for everyone in Spanish basketball.
His son, Jan Martín, also played professional basketball in Spain. He played for Estudiantes in the top Spanish league, the ACB, in the 2002–03 season. He also played for Spain's national junior teams. Fernando's nephew, Dominick Martín, played college basketball at Yale University and later played professionally in Spain. His brother, Antonio Martín Espina, was also a professional basketball player.
In 2009, during the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, Portland Trail Blazers player Rudy Fernández honored Fernando. For his first dunk, Rudy wore a #10 Martín Blazers jersey to remember him.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Martín Espina para niños
- List of basketball players who died during their careers
