Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin, who has been an important player on the team's rotation this postseason, made the roster thanks to Grammy Award-winning rapper J. Cole.
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets acquired Martin, teaming him up with his twin brother Cody. He was waived in the summer of 2021.
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J. Cole Helped Caleb Martin Make Heat Roster
J. Cole regularly plays pickup games in his North Carolina private gym, which often features some of the best players in the state.
Cody and Caleb Martin had a run in the gym shortly after the latter was waived from the Hornets. Caleb shot the lights out during a pickup game, catching the attention of the rapper.
"How does this guy not have a deal? He's killing me, everybody," Cole said to personal trainer Omar Khanani, per Charlotte Observer.
The Grammy winner put it in his own hands to help Martin get a deal by calling Caron Butler, who is an assistant coach on the Heat.
Cole raved about Martin's play to Butler. The assistant coach told the rapper that Martin was already in their free agent board, but Cole said that "you need to take another harder look."
Martin proceeded to fly to Miami for a workout with the team, playing well in a scrimmage with some of the Heat's top talent. A day later, he got invited back for an individual session in front of team officials.
The rest, as they say is history. Impressed with what they saw, the Heat officially signed Martin in a two-way contract in September 2021.
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