Caleb Martin (basketball)
A late-blooming NBA sharpshooter who fought his way from undrafted obscurity to become a crucial playoff performer for the Miami Heat.
Born 1995 (age 31)·American basketball player·Birthday: September 28·Millennials
Biography
Caleb Martin scored 26 points in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, leading Miami past Boston and into the NBA Finals. The undrafted forward from Nevada signed with the Heat in 2021 after two seasons with Charlotte. He transformed his body and refined his three-point shot, evolving from a fringe player into a vital two-way wing. In Miami's run to the 2023 Finals, he averaged 19.3 points on 60% shooting against the Celtics. He and his twin brother Cody led Nevada to consecutive NCAA tournaments. Martin signed a five-year, $65 million contract with Miami in 2024.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Caleb was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Caleb Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Caleb's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in 2018 after averaging 18.9 points per game for Nevada.
- Scored a career-high 26 points in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals to help send the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals.
- Signed a multi-year contract with the Miami Heat in 2022 after initially joining the team on a two-way contract.
Did You Know?
He and his brother Cody were originally committed to play at North Carolina State before transferring together to the University of Nevada.
He was not selected in the 2019 NBA Draft, entering the league as an undrafted free agent.
He won the NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP award in 2023, as voted by fans, for his performance against the Boston Celtics.
“I'm here to guard the best player and take the tough shot.”
