Three days from now, the Florida Gators will go up against the Auburn Tigers to secure a spot in the championship game of the ongoing March Madness tournament. The Gators have already created history with their recent progress, having made the Final Four for the first time since 2014, and the first time under head coach Todd Golden. Amongst the squad is Alijah Martin, who recently became the first player since Steve Krafcisin (UNC in 1977 and Iowa in 1980) to go to the Final Four with different teams. After 4 seasons with the Florida Atlantic Owls, the player made a mark with the Gators by averaging 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists throughout 36 games during the recent college season. He became known for his offensive flash and old-school toughness on defense. With the ongoing NCAA tournament being his 3rd one, Martin brought a uniqueness to the Gators.

Those same traits will be put to the test a few days from now. Before that happens, however, let us take this chance to get to know more about the 23-year-old star.

Where is Alijah Martin from? What is the Gators star’s nationality?

Alijah Martin was reportedly born on December 26th, 2001, in Summit, Mississippi. According to Real GM, he is a United States national. Even his parents, Tina Martin and Randall Ridley, are both reportedly American nationals. According to his official bio listed on the Florida Gators’ website, he has two siblings: Alayshia Martin and Jaylen Martin. Alijah comes from a family full of athletes in a variety of sports.

Growing up in Summit, a small Mississippi town of just over 1,700 residents known for its strong sports culture, Martin was surrounded by a community that nurtured his talents from an early age. His parents instilled a competitive spirit in their children, and while little is known about their own athletic pursuits, their support helped produce a family of standout athletes, including Alayshia, who reportedly excelled in track and field, and Jaylen, who followed Alijah’s footsteps in basketball at a local level.

Alijah Martin laid the foundation of his basketball career right in his hometown. Between 2016 and 2020, Alijah played in 94 games for his school. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists throughout 4 seasons. During his tenure at the North Pike High School, Martin established himself as a multi-sport athlete. As a quarterback on the school’s football team, he recorded a total of 6799 touchdowns throughout 40 games in 4 seasons. He reportedly threw for 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, in his senior season. That same year, Alijah averaged 25.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game in basketball. He also earned the MVP title in the Alabama/ Mississippi All-Star game.

In the end, a decision had to be made on whether the athlete’s future lay in football or basketball. He chose the latter, and committed to play for Florida Atlantic University.

Is Alijah Martin religious?

Alijah Martin has never publicly spoken about any religious affiliations he holds. However, he has often used social media to highlight his faith. Back in August 2024, the player put out a clip on X that highlighted his first basketball camp event. Reminiscing on the old memory, he attached a caption on the post that read “lookin’ through a lens might think my life is perfect, God gave me a gift and it came with a purpose.” The player’s official Instagram handle features a image of him, in the official Florida Gators jersey, as his profile image. The same also features him wearing a visible cross on his neck.

The profile image and his tweet indicate that Alijah Martin might be a follower of Christianity. However, nothing can be said for certain until the player himself once confirms it.

What is Alijah Martin’s ethnicity?

Unfortunately, Alijah Martin’s ethnicity hasn’t been covered by any renowned media sources. No detailed information is provided on his family background in length.

While his exact ethnicity remains undisclosed, his roots in Summit, Mississippi—a Deep South town with a predominantly African American and Caucasian population—suggest a connection to the region’s diverse heritage.

Having entered the Final Four for the first time since 2014, Florida Gators is carrying a lot of expectations on its shoulders. So is Alijah Martin, who will attempt to secure the NCAA title after having failed the last 2 times. Responsible for roles on both the offensive and the defensive front, it remains to be seen how the player will fare against the Auburn Tigers.