University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Darrick Martin Hired as Radio Analyst
October 27, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero announced today that Darrick Martin has been hired as the new radio analyst for all UCLA Men's Basketball broadcasts. Martin will join play-by-play announcer Bill Roth on the IMG Radio Network beginning with UCLA's first regular season game Nov. 13 versus Monmouth at Pauley Pavilion.
Martin, who starred in the Bruins' backcourt from 1989-92, replaces Tracy Murray in the radio analyst role. Murray, a teammate of Martin's at UCLA from 1990-92, spent the last seven seasons in that capacity before being named shooting coach with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month.
“I cannot think of a more fitting person for Tracy to pass the torch to than Darrick,” said Guerrero. “Not only were the two college teammates, they also both led very long NBA careers and possess extremely high basketball IQs. Darrick's experience, from NBA point guard and assistant coach to running the basketball operations of a major collegiate program, enables him to provide our fans with a level of insight second to none. Most importantly, he embodies everything it means to be a Bruin, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him home.”
A 13-year NBA veteran, Martin entered the league with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1994-95. As a point guard for seven NBA teams throughout his career, the former Saint Anthony (Long Beach) standout recorded 3,525 points and 1475 assists in 514 career games (178 starts) with the Minnesota Timberwolves (1994-95, 2004-05), Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Los Angeles Clippers (1996-99, 2005), Sacramento Kings (1999-2001), Dallas Mavericks (2001), Denver Nuggets (2002) and Toronto Raptors (2005-08). In 1996-97, Martin appeared in all 82 games (64 starts) with the Clippers, posting career-highs in both points (10.9) and assists (4.1) per game.
“I'm incredibly grateful and excited to be able to return home and work alongside Bill Roth in this new role,” Martin said. “No place is more special to me than UCLA. I'm honored to represent my alma mater in this capacity and get back inside iconic Pauley Pavilion. I would like to thank our great athletic director Dan Guerrero, IMG, Bill Roth and the rest of the UCLA radio team for giving me this opportunity. It is a privilege and an honor to be back at UCLA.”
After his playing career, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach and player development specialist with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During Martin's tenure in Minnesota, former UCLA standout Kevin Love was named the 2010-11 NBA Most Improved Player and was also selected to the 2011 NBA All Star team. In Sept. 2012, Martin was hired as an assistant coach on Steve Lavin's coaching staff at St. John's University in New York. While working with St. John's, he spent one year as an assistant coach and three seasons as the program's Director of Basketball Operations.
Selected to the freshman All-Pac-10 team in 1989, Martin played in 129 career games for the Bruins, including 10 NCAA Tournament contests. Over four years, Martin averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three-point territory. He led the Bruins in assists in each of his final three seasons.
Martin graduated from UCLA in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He helped lead UCLA's team to Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 1989, 1990 and 1992, including a berth in the Elite Eight in 1992. In UCLA's career record book, Martin ranks third in assists (636) and sixth in steals (179). He is also tied for seventh place on UCLA's career list for games played (129).
Throughout his playing and coaching careers, Martin has been extensively involved in charitable work. In 1996, he founded the Darrick Martin Basketball and Book Camp for student-athletes ages seven to 17. He has hosted free basketball camps for children in Compton and at his high school (St. Anthony) in Long Beach over the last 11 years. In addition, he has been involved in several service projects with the Cochran Avenue Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
