INBOUND PASS

When Martin caught the ball, he would throw everything he had at the game. After convincing his mum to buy him his first Orlando Magic cap from Wembley Market, his collection would grow to a set of 22. It wasn't just headwear, either. Magazines, posters, jerseys, and VHS tapes would occupy each square foot of his bedroom and clutter his headspace. It would follow him out of his front door and onto the driveway, where a custom-built Magic hoop sat above the garage of his family home. It stayed on his tail when he made the short journey down the street to nearby Stonegrove Park.

At the park, hoop seekers would need to skirt a neatly maintained tennis court and step onto the cracked concrete of a basketball haven. The blacktop housed the unmistakable metal Adidas/Sport England rims, which define an era of British hoops where the sport was being awkwardly introduced to a mixture of cautious explorers and those who had already been self-diagnosed with basketball fever. Here, Martin would spend long summer days connecting with like-minded enthusiasts, keen to make their mark on the space between the unforgiving rims while enjoying the shade of surrounding trees. While some interactions would only last an afternoon, it was further afield, at a youth camp, where Martin would form a relationship that would continue for many years.

DRIBBLE MOVE

Although from two different cities, Martin and George Goldstone had basketball in common. This was more than enough fuel for their friendship to extend beyond the annual reunions at camp—Martin's commitment to anything involving basketball would be personified in his new friend. He had also begun playing organised basketball, initially making the weekly journey to a small club in Watford and later at secondary school, through to the Sixth Form, where he would captain the team.

So deep was Martin's enthusiasm for the sport that he strategically planned out his educational route to land himself a spot at one of basketball's more decorated college teams for a year.

BACKDOOR

Knowing that studying English Literature with American and Canadian History at Birmingham University would provide a gateway to the States, Martin requested a third-year placement at UCLA. His timing was Pacific Standard perfect, and he would spend 12 months in The Den, where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton (amongst a vast depth of others) would establish greatness under the watchful wisdom of the esteemed John Wooden and his 'Pyramid of Success' philosophy. After university, he sought out a work-study program that allowed him to live in New York for a year. In both instances, his love for basketball was the motivating factor in chasing a brief American dream.

NO-LOOK PASS

Martin would spend many of the years that followed working in PR, but it was the tragic passing of George in 2016 that pulled him into a basketball trajectory that brought together every ounce of experience he'd built up prior. In a time of profound sadness and grief, Martin wanted to remember the joy of basketball that he and George had shared. He launched the GG3x3 Charity Tournament, an opportunity to enjoy the game while raising money (over £16K to date) for cancer charities. The tournament became an annual event that runs to this day—it has become the UK's biggest one-day 3x3 tournament (with 200 players and 52 teams involved) and has provided a catalyst for Martin to serve the growing basketball community in the form of coaching, advising, and various community projects. Through this initiative, Martin has coached thousands of kids and hosted events for over 2,500 adults.

WIDE OPEN FROM BEHIND THE ARC

It didn't stop there, neither did Martin intend it to. In 2024, he launched Rise 3x3 with the intention of further developing 3x3 in the UK, from grassroots right through to elite-level basketball.

Martin was a 2023 Commonwealth Games baton bearer for his contributions to basketball and is now the 3x3 Advisor for Glasgow 2026. The launch of Rise has also gone hand in hand with Martin gaining a role as Great Britain's 3x3 Consultant Program Manager, which has involved seeing the process of trialling, selecting, training, and competing—right through from beginning to end. He also helps create strategies for future events, such as the Olympics in both 2028 and 2032. With every opportunity, there has been intentionality and foresight from Martin to progress to the next step—to set the next screen and make the next pass.

GAME WINNER

In short, the basketball landscape in the UK is brighter with Martin Dyan involved. He continues to operate unselfishly, with a genuine desire to see everybody succeed. Whether continuing the basketball legacy of his childhood friend, George, or hosting and developing new leagues like the 3x3 City League, launched last year, Martin continues to be a team player. When he makes the play, the whole basketball community wins. 

At Stonegrove Park, Martin is wearing the Kobe 8 Protro 'College Navy'.

"I love how comfortable they are straight out of the box, they feel ready-made for my foot. I like how clean the design on these is, too." 

Available in-store at BounceWear London or online at bouncewear.co.uk.