Damian Martin's jersey set to hang from RAC rafters

One of the greatest players and leaders of a generation of NBL basketballers is set to be honoured by his former club, with six-time NBL champion and former Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin's jersey retired to hang in the rafters at RAC Arena. 

Martin’s six NBL titles is the equal record amount won by an individual player. He is tied with current Wildcat and former teammate Jesse Wagstaff, current Adelaide coach CJ Bruton, and David Stiff.

Those six titles are only matched by the six Best Defensive Player awards he won over the course of his career, and such was his dominance in the award it has since been named after Martin since he retired at the end of the 2019-20 season.

His sixth Best Defensive Player award pushed him one clear of all-time legendary import Darnell Mee's five trophies, to have won the most in NBL history.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch the moment that Shawn Redhage surprised Damian Martin, announcing live on air that his jersey is going to be retired. ?<br><br>Watch the full 7 minute video on the Wildcats app. <a href="https://t.co/GNC3u0Ylor">pic.twitter.com/GNC3u0Ylor</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1726531383869444228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In total, Martin represented the Wildcats 310 times, en route to those six famous championships, following two seasons at the West Sydney Razorbacks/Sydney Spirit.

His jersey is now set to hang in the rafters alongside Ricky Grace (15), Andrew Vlahov (21), James Crawford (7), Scott Fisher (30), Mike Ellis (6), Shawn Redhage (42) and Scott Fenton (14).

Redhage, who also sits on the Wildcats’ jersey retirement committee, surprised Martin with the news live on his SENWA radio show.

“The club means so much to me. Some of the best years of my life were out on that court playing for that team,” Martin said. “I’m speechless, I’m completely shocked.

“When I signed with the Wildcats, I thought I’d be there for three years and I’ll get back east to be with my siblings and mum and dad, closer to home.

“This is a moment I’ll never forget, it means the world to me.”

<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/nbl-radio-interviews/shawn-redhage-on-sen-november-20-2023/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Shawn Redhage on SEN - November 20, 2023"></iframe>

The official ceremony will take place when the Wildcats clash with New Zealand on February 4 at RAC Arena.

Martin’s Wildcats formed a fierce on-court rivalry with the Breakers during the bulk of his career.

At least one of the Wildcats or Breakers reached the Championship Series every year between 2010 and 2019, barring the 2018 series between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Martin led his side in three Grand Finals against the Breakers, of which Perth won the 2016 edition.

Honour Roll
6x NBL champion (2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
6x NBL Best Defensive Player (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018)
1x Larry Sengstock Medal (2016)
All-NBL First Team (2011)
All-NBL Second Team (2013, 2014)
All-NBL Third Team (2012)
Commonwealth Games gold medal (2018)
Olympic representative (2016)
Wildcats captain (2012-2020)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? ?????? ???? ?? ?????, ??????? ????????????.<br><br>?? 6x NBL Champion<br>?? 6x NBL Best Defensive Player<br>?? 2016 Grand Final MVP<br>?? All-NBL First team (2011)<br>?? All-NBL Second team (2013, 2014)<br>?? All-NBL Third team (2012)<br><br>Congratulations, Damo. ? <a href="https://t.co/BehMeVTwQ0">pic.twitter.com/BehMeVTwQ0</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1726550934409576868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>