Duane Martin NBA Comeback? Actor Sparks Throwback Buzz

Throwback To The Court

Late last week, actor and former pro guard Duane Martin stoked a wave of nostalgia by sharing a series of four vintage game photos on Instagram. The images—captured in grainy, midair action—show Martin driving to the rim, pulling up for a jump shot and darting past defenders in a classic sliver-and-red uniform. He paired the carousel of court-side moments with a simple, provocative caption: “SHOULD WE RUN IT BACK? Yes or no.” Within hours, longtime followers and new fans were flooding the comments, fueled by Martin’s tongue-in-cheek invitation to revisit his hardwood days.

Fan Debate Rises

Martin’s post quickly racked up more than 12,000 likes and drew hundreds of replies. Some fans pleaded for an official “comeback”—even just a one-off celebrity charity game—while others playfully insisted he stick to Hollywood. One commenter quipped, “Only if you’re ready to torch us again,” while another asked, “Can we get a Knicks vs. Clippers alumni scrimmage?” Although Martin didn’t publicly respond to individual remarks, he updated his story with a “Y” for yes and an “N” for no, letting followers cast their vote in a real-time poll.

From Hardwood To Hollywood

Basketball aficionados know Duane Martin first made a name on the court, but many recognize him as the dynamic actor who followed his NBA stint with a successful screen career. After starring at St. John’s University—where he scored over 2,000 career points—he was selected in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Martin played two seasons in the NBA before taking his talents overseas to Italy. By the early ’90s, Martin traded sneakers for scripts.

He landed his breakout TV role as twin brothers Robert and William Tubbs in the UPN/CW sitcom “All of Us” (2003–2007), and co-starred alongside Martin Lawrence in the 1999 hit film “Blue Streak.” Recent Instagram throwbacks show Martin crossing over full circle—at one point, he playfully tagged the New York Knicks in a 2020 post that read, “I knew they would regret cutting me. That’s why I stayed ready. I just didn’t anticipate it being 36 years later 😂😂😂 @nyknicks.” That post earned widespread laughs and served as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports careers.

Though he’s best known these days for his roles in Hollywood, Martin has remained active on social media, sharing everything from motivational quotes—“If you want to go far, go together”—to behind-the-scenes praise for fellow athletes-turned-entertainers. By teasing a potential return to the court, he’s reignited interest in a chapter of his life many fans hadn’t seen since the late 1980s.

Whether Martin’s question is all in good fun or foreshadows a one-time exhibition game remains to be seen. For now, the entertainment world and basketball community are united in anticipation, waiting to see if this multi-talented pro will really run it back.

Martin’s next moves—on screen or on court—will be closely watched. Until then, fans can cast their votes, revisit classic game footage and enjoy the banter his throwback post has sparked across social media.

Trivia

Duane Martin was a guest on popular radio shows and podcasts, sharing insights about the entertainment industry and his personal experiences.

Reporter

Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

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