Less than a year after her final season at the University of Iowa, Kate Martin has become a prominent figure in a WNBA team.
Surprisingly, she is now the face of a WNBA franchise.
Drafted as the No. 18 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Martin made an impact off the bench for the Las Vegas Aces in her rookie season. Recently, she was chosen by the Golden State Valkyries in their WNBA Expansion Draft, making her one of the key players on their roster.
Adding to her potential success, Martin already has a strong relationship with Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who previously coached her in Las Vegas.
Despite this connection, Nakase emphasized in a podcast episode on December 12 that Martin doesn’t need special treatment to excel in Golden State.
Nakase praised Martin’s exceptional work ethic and eagerness to learn, highlighting her rapid progress on and off the court. Martin’s persistent questioning and focus on team improvement demonstrate her selflessness and high character, qualities that Nakase values in a player.
“When a person has that type of work ethic I think the limits are endless. … When Kate goes she goes at full maximum speed.”
– Natalie Nakase Valkyries Head Coach pic.twitter.com/VvxtQJMVLa
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) December 13, 2024
Both Martin and Valkyries fans eagerly await the upcoming 2025 season.
