A’ja Wilson Takes Pride in Making Kate Martin Miserable Over Locker Room Bet Obligation

In the high-stakes world of professional basketball, rookie initiations come in many forms. However, few are as entertaining as the friendly wagers between WNBA veterans and newcomers. A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces star, who has taken her team to the championship two years in a row, has played both her part as a mentor and also as a fun-loving seasoned player who treats them as sisters. The latest chapter in her tradition unfolds with the reigning league MVP’s gleeful recounting of her bet with Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin.

During a recent appearance on the ‘Roommates Show’, Wilson couldn’t contain her satisfaction when discussing Martin’s obligation to wear a South Carolina Gamecocks sweatsuit. “Yeah sorry. It was part of the bet. It was the bet, you have to do it. You can’t say no,” said Wilson during the podcast.

The wager stemmed from a playful clash of collegiate pride. Kate Martin, aka the glue, who shone as a leader for the Iowa Hawkeyes during her NCAA career, found herself at odds with Wilson, a proud South Carolina alum. Their banter culminated in a bet tied to a preseason matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Puerto Rican national team where Martin had to adorn the bright white SC sweatsuit that shocked her fans with one even speculating, “Either Kate lost a bet or it is the hazing of a rookie.”

The bet actually materialized because Martin’s team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, was bested by Wilson’s alma mater in the 2024 NCAA Championship Game (87-75). However, instead of feeling hard, the guard took the bet quite sportingly. In fact, the entire Aces roster had to don the Gamecocks merch if South Carolina had ever defeated their team in an NCAA matchup. No surprise, almost all wore the jersey that day.

For Martin, the 2024 WNBA 18th overall second-round pick, this season has been a journey of adaptation and growth. The former Iowa standout has shown promising potential in limited minutes, averaging 2.6 PPG and 1.6 RPG while shooting a respectable 30% from the field. Moreover, her pick-and-pop roll from the corner of the arc and defensive abilities have gained her traction and a following that loves to call itself Martinis. Her court vision and defensive intensity have earned her increasing trust from head coach Becky Hammon.

“I know she’s freaking tough. I don’t know how bad it is, but she’s a tough cookie. For her to not come back, I’m hoping for the best,” said Hammon when Martin was injured in the regular season with an ankle twist.

On the other hand, Wilson continued to dominate the league with remarkable consistency. The 2024 season has seen her maintain her elite status, posting impressive averages of 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. This year she also became the MVP for the third time, gaining the moniker “the best women’s basketball player in the world right now.”

The bet’s aftermath has become a source of amusement within the Aces’ locker room, and this playful dynamic between Wilson and Martin shows the unique mentor-mentee relationships that develop within WNBA teams. However, even after having such dares between them, the mentor-mentee duo became famous for a viral gesture.

Viral handshake of A’ja Wilson and Kate Martin

The NBA has long been synonymous with viral player interactions and beliefs—think LeBron James’ chalk toss or Steph Curry’s shimmy. But the WNBA is proving it can one-up the league with its own brand of charismatic connections. A prime example? The Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and rookie teammate Kate Martin, whose elaborately choreographed handshake has taken social media by storm.

The source of the idea behind the handshake is, however, very unique. They took inspiration from the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ in which the character ‘Crush‘ (a tortoise) can be seen doing the same handshake. The iconic handshake is the “Gimme some fin, noggin, duuuude!” First, both reach out their hands (fins) for a low-five, then bump their heads (noggin); and point to each other as they shout “duuuude.”

“It came across my timeline one time, and I was just like, I love this handshake. Let’s do it. I always forget how young Kate is, so I really didn’t know if she knew Finding Nemo… But Kate is someone on the team that is always down for a good time, and I love her for that. She respects it, and I respect her for that,” Wilson said in an interview with UpRoxx’s Megan Armstrong.

For the Aces, moments like these go beyond entertainment; they embody the energy and unity driving the team’s dominance. And for Wilson and Martin, their viral gesture cements them as a duo to watch—on and off the court.