Slater Martin

Slater Nelson Martin


Born:
October 22, 1925
Elmina, TX

Died:
October 18, 2012
Houston, TX


Career
1941-42 Jefferson Davis High School - Houston (High School)
1942-43 Jefferson Davis High School - Houston (High School)
1943-44 University of Texas (College)
1946-47 University of Texas (College)
1947-48 University of Texas (College)
1948-49 University of Texas (College)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1954-55 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1956-57 New York Knicks (NBA)
1956-57 St. Louis Hawks (NBA) Head coach / player
1957-58 St. Louis Hawks (NBA)
1958-59 St. Louis Hawks (NBA)
1959-60 St. Louis Hawks (NBA)
1967-68 Houston Mavericks (ABA) Head coach
1968-69 Houston Mavericks (ABA) Head coach

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1982

After helping Jefferson Davis HS in Houston to two state titles in basketball, Martin enrolled at the University of Texas, but only played a few games on the team until entering the U.S. Navy for World War 2. He returned from the war and finished his education, and was drafted by the Lakers. He was known as one of the best defensive players in the league, regularly shutting down offensive players like Bobby Wanzer and Bob Cousy. After the 1955-56 season, he was dealt to the New York Knicks, and in December of 1956 was then dealt to the Hawks. He was an interim coach in St Louis, coaching the team for eight games between Red Holzman and Alex Hannum. He retired in the summer of 1960, and served as a coach for the ABA's Houston Mavericks in the late 1960's. Martin was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.

He owned and operated a restaurant in Houston after retirement, which was a popular sports bar in town.

Source:
Obituary, NY Times, October 19, 2012
Ultimate Rockets Blog, February 2013

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martisl01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=martisl01