Martin joins San Antonio Spurs coaching staff for NBA Summer League

Martin arrived in San Francisco earlier in the week for the lead-up tournament (California Classic Summer League) which runs from July 8-10, before heading to Las Vegas for the official NBA 2K26 Summer League from July 10-20. 

Martin will spend three weeks with the Spurs, gaining valuable experience with one of the NBA’s most respected organisations.

The opportunity came about through relationships Martin has built over the past few years with members of the Spurs’ front office and coaching staff.

Martin said he was looking forward to learning from elite coaches in the NBA environment and bringing new ideas back to Perth.

“Absolutely, especially an organisation like the Spurs, known for their culture and what they do on and off the floor,” Martin said.

“I am very grateful to be able to go over there and spend three weeks with them. I am excited to get over there.

“Anytime you go somewhere, and you can learn and find new things, you are always going to try and bring it back and see if you can grow as a coach and help your players out. Offence, defence, player development, anything that I think could help us, I will definitely bring back.”

Martin will work closely with Spurs Summer League player Nathan Mensah during the tournament. Mensah played five years at San Diego State, has NBA G League experience, and recently competed in Europe with Olympiacos.

BECOME A PERTH WILDCATS NBL26 MEMBER TODAY

Wildcats Head Coach John Rillie said Martin’s stint with the Spurs would be a positive for the club.

“Anytime someone gets the opportunity to be involved with the San Antonio Spurs, only good things can come from it,” Rillie said.

“Gerard will certainly make the most of this experience as he is a dedicated learner to his craft. He will come back armed with new ideas and subtle ways to improve what we already do in the player development area. An area he is striving to be great in.”

Martin, whose wife is from Phoenix, Arizona, has strong ties to the United States and said coaching in the NBA remains a long-term goal.

For now, his focus is on soaking up as much as possible during the Summer League before returning to help prepare the Wildcats for the upcoming NBL season.

“It has been really good being in the gym with some of the guys here in the off-season,” Martin said. “It has been awesome to work with them on a personal basis and help them as much as we can. I am excited for those guys this season.”

The Spurs’ Summer League roster features 2025 NBA Draft picks, Dylan Harper (No. 2 overall) and Carter Bryant (No. 14 overall), alongside two-way players Harrison Ingram and Riley Minix.

The Spurs kick off their summer slate at the California Classic in San Francisco, facing the Miami Heat on July 5 at Chase Center (4:30am AWST Sunday July 6)

After three games in San Francisco, the Spurs will head to Las Vegas for their 17th NBA 2K26 Summer League appearance, starting with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus.

The Perth Wildcats wish Gerard Martin all the best with the Spurs at NBA Summer League.