Alijah Randall Edwin Martin Bio
Alijah Randall Edwin Martin is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He operates under a two-way contract, split between the NBA roster and the Raptors 905 in the NBA G League. Martin was selected by Toronto with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Before turning professional, he played collegiate basketball for the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Florida Gators, helping the University of Florida capture the NCAA championship in his lone season with the program.
Early Life and Background
Alijah Martin was born on December 26, 2001, in Summit, Mississippi. He attended North Pike High School in his hometown, where he established himself as a multi-sport athlete. On the football field, Martin played as a quarterback and demonstrated impressive dual-threat ability, passing for 2,100 yards and rushing for 1,300 yards during his senior season. His athletic versatility translated seamlessly to the basketball court, where he averaged 25.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game in his senior basketball season. His standout high school career laid the foundation for his transition to collegiate basketball.
Path to Basketball
Martin’s impressive performance at North Pike High School attracted attention from college programs across the country. His ability to impact games in multiple facets, combined with his competitive nature and athleticism, made him an appealing prospect. After considering several opportunities, Martin chose to continue his basketball career at Florida Atlantic University, joining the Owls program in 2020. The decision to attend Florida Atlantic marked the beginning of his ascent through collegiate basketball, setting the stage for his eventual breakthrough at the Division I level.
Alijah Randall Edwin Martin Career
Florida Atlantic Years (2020–2024)
Martin began his collegiate career with the Florida Atlantic Owls in 2020, though his initial impact was limited as he adjusted to the college level. The experience proved valuable as he developed his game and adapted to the speed and physicality of Division I basketball. During his sophomore season, Martin elevated his performance significantly, averaging 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. His emergence as a consistent contributor earned him recognition, as he was named to the all-conference third team, establishing himself as a building block for the program’s future.
The 2022-2023 season represented a turning point in Martin’s collegiate career. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while helping lead Florida Atlantic to the school’s first ever Final Four appearance. This historic run brought national attention to both Martin and the Owls program, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stage. His senior season with Florida Atlantic saw him average 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable two-way player. Following the season, Martin entered the transfer portal seeking a new challenge.
Florida Gators Transfer (2024–2025)
In April 2024, Martin announced his commitment to transfer to the University of Florida, joining the Gators program for his final collegiate season. The move proved to be transformative for his career trajectory. Martin immediately earned the starting shooting guard role and made an instant impact. In a notable early-season performance against Southern Illinois, he recorded 32 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, leading Florida to a commanding 93-68 victory. His all-around excellence demonstrated his ability to shoulder significant offensive responsibility.
The Gators’ postseason run saw Martin elevate his play to championship level. In the Final Four against Auburn, he contributed 17 points in a 79-73 victory that sent Florida to the National Championship Game. In the title game against Houston, Martin tallied seven points as the Gators captured the school’s third national championship. His performance throughout the tournament cemented his reputation as a clutch performer capable of rising to the occasion on the sport’s grandest stage.
Toronto Raptors Era (2025–Present)
Following his collegiate success, Martin declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. On June 25, 2025, he was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round by the Toronto Raptors. The selection represented the realization of his lifelong dream of reaching professional basketball’s highest level. On July 10, 2025, the Raptors officially announced they had signed Martin to a two-way contract. Under this arrangement, he splits time between the NBA roster and Raptors 905, the organization’s G League affiliate, allowing him to develop his game while gaining valuable professional experience.
Playing Style and Strengths
Martin plays the shooting guard position and brings a versatile skill set to the professional level. His career averages at Florida Atlantic and Florida demonstrate his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. His collegiate success, particularly his championship performance with Florida, showcased his capability to perform under pressure in high-stakes situations. The combination of his scoring ability, rebounding instincts, and defensive awareness makes him a well-rounded player with untapped potential at the professional level.
Raptors 905 Development
As part of his two-way contract structure, Martin has spent significant time with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League. The G League provides him with regular playing opportunities and allows the Raptors organization to monitor his development closely. His performance in his inaugural professional season earned him recognition, as he was named to the All-NBA G League Third Team in 2026. The assignment to the G League affiliate reflects a common development strategy in the NBA, allowing young players to refine their skills while maintaining readiness for NBA opportunities.
Alijah Randall Edwin Martin Career Wins and Honors
Throughout his basketball career, Martin has accumulated an impressive collection of individual honors and team accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels. His trophy case reflects his consistency and ability to perform at a high level across different stages of his development.
College Career Highlights
Martin’s collegiate career was marked by steady improvement and ultimate triumph. During his time at Florida Atlantic, he earned multiple all-conference selections, including Third-team All-C-USA in 2022, First-team All-C-USA in 2023, and Second-team All-AAC in 2024 following the program’s conference move. He was named C-USA tournament MVP in 2023 after leading the Owls to their historic postseason run. His crowning achievement came with Florida in 2025, when he helped the Gators capture the NCAA national championship, the third in program history. These accomplishments established Martin as one of the most accomplished mid-major transfers in recent college basketball history.
Professional Recognition
In his first professional season, Martin demonstrated promising development potential with Raptors 905. His contributions to the G League team earned him a spot on the All-NBA G League Third Team in 2026, indicating his ability to compete effectively at the professional level. The recognition validated his transition from college star to professional player and suggested a pathway toward increased responsibilities with the parent club in future seasons.
Alijah Randall Edwin Martin Personal Life
Family Background
Martin grew up in Summit, Mississippi, where his athletic abilities first became evident through his multi-sport participation at North Pike High School. His background as a football quarterback before focusing on basketball shaped his versatile athletic skill set and competitive mentality. The foundation built during his formative years in Mississippi provided the framework for his later success at the collegiate and professional levels.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Martin has established roots in Toronto following his professional debut. In 2026, he became engaged to Sophie Mae Jones, a beautician from Toronto. The engagement marked a significant personal milestone as Martin continues to build his life both on and off the court. His social media presence, including his verified accounts on X and Instagram, allows fans to follow his professional journey and personal updates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Martin’s rookie year as a professional basketball player. Selected 39th overall in the NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, he immediately joined the organization for training camp and the preseason. His transition from the college game to the professional ranks required adjustment to increased speed, physicality, and strategic complexity. The two-way contract structure provided him with the flexibility to develop gradually while remaining connected to the NBA roster.
Throughout his first professional season, Martin balanced his time between the Raptors 905 G League team and availability for NBA call-ups. His performance with Raptors 905 showcased his scoring ability, basketball IQ, and defensive instincts, traits that aligned with the developmental vision the organization had for his career arc. The Raptors’ player development program provided structured guidance aimed at maximizing his potential over time.
Looking ahead, Martin represents an intriguing prospect for the Toronto Raptors’ future plans. His championship experience from Florida, combined with his youth and versatility, positions him as a player with long-term value. The 2025 season served as the foundation for his professional career, with the lessons learned and confidence gained serving as building blocks for continued growth in subsequent seasons.