Attention, Red Army: Stick around for Damo's jersey retirement

There will be a post-game jersey retirement presentation for the former Perth Wildcats captain and six-time NBL champion, kicking off shortly after the final buzzer.

Martin’s famous No.53 jersey will be hung in the rafters at RAC Arena alongside fellow Wildcats legends Ricky Grace (15), Andrew Vlahov (21), James Crawford (7), Scott Fisher (30), Mike Ellis (6), Shawn Redhage (42) and the late Scott Fenton (14).

Several special guests will reflect on the popular guard’s time as a Wildcat, which included six Defensive Player of the Year awards, All-NBL First Team selection and several other individual and team honours.

 

 

 

 

 

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Martin enjoyed a strong rivalry against Sunday's opponent New Zealand during his decorated 310-career Wildcats career, leading his side in three Grand Finals against the Breakers, of which Perth won the 2016 edition when he was named the Larry Sengstock medallist as MVP of the series.

His jersey retirement is the second in as many years after fellow ex-Wildcats captain and four-time title-winner Redhage’s honour last season.

Martin’s former teammate Redhage fittingly broke the news to him late last year.

“It’s so fitting that it’s on my mum’s birthday (February 4),” Martin said.

“The sacrifices my mum and dad made for me just to pursue the sport I loved as a junior is incredible and something I can never truly repay.

“To walk in there and see my number hanging alongside some of the players I idolised growing up, and then a player I got to call a teammate in Shawn Redhage, is something I’ll never take for granted and I dare sare will put a smile on my face for forever and a day.”

For those who can't make it to the game, the ceremony will be streamed live on the Wildcats App.

Get tickets to Sunday’s Wildcats-Breakers clash here

Damian Martin's career honours

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)

342 NBL games (310 for Wildcats)