Fernando Martín Espina
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| Position | Center-Power forward |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Born | March 15, 1962 Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Spain |
| Died | December 3, 1989 (aged 27) Madrid, Spain |
| High school | Estudiantes, Madrid, Spain |
| Draft | 2nd round, 38th overall, 1985 New Jersey Nets |
| Pro career | 1979–1989 |
| Former teams | Estudiantes Madrid (1979–1981) Real Madrid (1981–1986) Portland Trail Blazers (1986–1987) Real Madrid (1987–1989) |
| Medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Competitor for  Spain |
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| Men’s Basketball | |||
| Olympic Games | |||
| Silver | 1984 Los Angeles | Team Competition | |
Fernando Martín Espina (born March 15, 1962 in Madrid, Spain - died December 3, 1989 in Madrid, Spain) is considered one of the best Spanish basketball players ever.
Martin was 2,06 m tall, and played primarily at center. He was considered a talented all-around athlete. He was a five time swimming champion in Castilla as well as a gaining high rankings in handball, table tennis and judo.
Martin was the first Spanish player to play in NBA, in 1986, and one of the first Europeans to play in this league. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers and, earlier, in Spain for Estudiantes and Real Madrid. He played in only 24 games in the 1986-87 season for the Blazers, having been injured for two months. At the end of the season, he returned to Spain to play again for Real Madrid.
Martin also played for the Spanish national team and was a prominent player in the Spanish team that won the silver medal in the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1984. Martín also represented his country in the 1981, 1983 and 1985 European basketball championship, and, during the latter, was selected for the all-tournament team.
Martin died in a car accident, crashing his own car, a limited edition Lancia Thema with aFerrari engine. His death caused an enormous shock in Spanish basketball.
In 2007, he was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame. Martin wore the number 10 on his shirt which Real Madrid has not used since his death.
His son, Jan Martin, made a start in the Spanish pro league ACB in Estudiantes in the season 2004-2005 and has also played for the Spanish national junior team.
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