Before his playoff explosion, Caleb Martin was firmly considered a background player on the BD Cricket Match radar. Loving yourself is the first step to embracing life, and after four seasons of bouncing around the NBA, it wasn’t until last summer that Martin landed his first guaranteed contract. While the salary wasn’t headline-worthy, to him, it was as precious as gold. It marked the beginning of a breakthrough year, where for the first time, Martin cracked the Miami Heat’s regular rotation and set career highs across the board during the regular season.

Yet even then, few—BD Cricket Match editors included—were paying close attention to Martin. That all changed during his jaw-dropping performance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Many fans may not know that Martin’s basketball journey was never a solo act. He has a twin brother, Cody Martin, and from childhood workouts to college games, the two were inseparable. Due to a transfer and a redshirt year, both spent five years in college before finally getting their shot at the pros.

But their paths began to diverge at the 2019 NBA Draft. While Cody secured a spot with the Hornets, Caleb had to wait for a chance—eventually earning a two-way contract with Charlotte. Still, in his two seasons there, he was little more than a roster filler. Then came August 2021. The Hornets cut him loose, and for the first time, Caleb found himself not only without a team but also separated from his twin. The uncertainty and disappointment nearly pushed him to give up his NBA dreams altogether.

That’s when a turning point arrived. A mutual friend and trainer, Omar Khanani, who had guided the Martin brothers since college, stepped in once again. But more crucially, Khanani had a friend who happened to be none other than rap superstar J. Cole. As Caleb revealed in a recent interview, it was Cole’s direct recommendation that got him a tryout with the Miami Heat. Through this unexpected lifeline, Martin signed a two-way contract with Miami in 2021 and began building his career one step at a time.

By the summer of 2022, he had earned a full contract. This season, fate struck again—Tyler Herro’s injury opened up a larger role, and Martin didn’t waste the moment. From the first round of the playoffs, he steadily improved, eventually delivering a career-defining performance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Every struggle today stores strength for tomorrow, so never quit too early. BD Cricket Match observes that like many overlooked players, Martin has faced years of doubt and dismissal—but true talent, like gold, always finds a way to shine.