The night that Magic chairman Dan DeVos informed Alex Martins that he would become the 14th inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, the former CEO of the Orlando franchise couldn’t believe it.

“My first response was, ‘You’ve got be kidding,’ ” Martins recalled.

DeVos wasn’t kidding, and on Monday, in front of close friends and family, current and former Magic executives and employees and local community leaders, a plaque was unveiled with Martins’ name on it at the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame that’s located in Kia Center on the terrace level.

“I never, in my wildest dreams, would have envisioned being put into the Magic Hall of Fame,” Martins said after the ceremony. “I’m not quite sure that I’m worthy, quite honestly, to be with this incredible group of Hall of Famers, but I’m incredibly honored.

Martins, who was originally hired by the organization in 1989 and later served as CEO for 14 seasons from 2011-25, joined Pat Williams (Hall of Fame Class 2014), Nick Anderson (2014), Shaquille O’Neal (2015), Rich DeVos (2016), Penny Hardaway (2017), Jimmy Hewitt (2017), Tracy McGrady (2018), David Steele (2019), Darrell Armstrong (2020), John Gabriel (2022), Brian Hill (2022), Dennis Scott (2023) and Dwight Howard (2025) in the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

Martins explained why he feels that he wasn’t “worthy” to be inducted.

“Although when you lead, you’re out in front, but I’ve always tried to be behind the scenes,” he said. “I’ve tried my best to give the credit to others and I’ve always felt that it’s not about me. It’s about our entire organization, it’s about our entire team, it’s about ownership, and to be singled out, I would have never imagined that I would be singled out like this.”

Martins has held various senior-level management capacities with the Magic between 1989-98 and upon his return to the organization in 2005, including director of media relations, executive vice president of marketing and franchise relations, president and chief operating officer.

He stepped down as CEO last summer and currently serves as vice chair of the Magic, acting as a senior advisor to the Magic Board of Directors to advance long-term strategic initiatives and serve as a resource to team executives.

He also still represents the Magic as the team’s alternate governor to the NBA Board of Governors, as well as oversees all operations of the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL and the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League.

Beyond his work with the Magic, Martins serves as the Chair of the UCF Board of Trustees at the university where he earned his MBA and is a member of the College of Business Administration’s Hall of Fame.

As he reflected on his 38 years in professional sports management, Martins grew emotional at times, thanking those closest to him who helped him throughout his career, including his family and DeVos.

Asked to describe the ceremony in one word, he pointed toward “overwhelming.”

“Speaking in front of a crowd for whatever reason has not been difficult for me,” Martins said. “Today was difficult. It was personal. It was heartfelt. I certainly haven’t stumbled through a speech like I stumbled a little bit today, but it’s because it means so much to me.

“And this organization and this community means so much,” he added. “And the people that were in this room and the people that we’ve been able to do it with together.”

Suggs sick

Before the ceremony began, the Magic added Jalen Suggs to the team’s injury report for Monday’s game against the Pacers.

Suggs was ruled out of the contest due to an illness, meaning Orlando would be without the All-Defensive guard as well as Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) when it hosted Indiana on the first night of a back-to-back.

The Magic have a quick turnaround when they travel to Cleveland on Tuesday for a national TV matchup with the Cavaliers on NBC.

Tipoff time update

The April 1 game between the Magic and Hawks at Kia Center has a new tipoff time and TV designation, the league announced.

Instead of a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, the contest will begin at 7 p.m. and will no longer be broadcast on ESPN. The game will be televised locally on FanDuel Sports Network Florida.

The Boston at Miami game will be broadcast nationally instead that night, the league said.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic at Cavaliers

When: 8 p.m., Tuesday, Rocket Arena

TV: NBC/Peacock