Kate Martin’s run with the Los Angeles Sparks has turned into something more than a short-term look. The former Iowa star, who joined the team on a Player Development contract on May 10, has done enough in limited minutes to earn a standard contract.
The Sparks brought Martin in after she was waived by the Golden State Valkyries before the season, and she has fit into a roster that plays fast, fires away from deep and has been searching for steadier defense as the year has worn on. Los Angeles has clearly seen enough to keep her around.
“Kate has made a meaningful impact on our group both on and off the court,” Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said. “She brings versatility on both ends of the floor, competes at a high level and consistently puts the team first. We're excited to see her continue to grow.”
For Martin, this is the latest stop on a winding WNBA path that started when she was drafted No. 18 overall by the Las Vegas Aces and then moved again when Golden State selected her in the expansion draft after her rookie season. It has been a notable journey for a player who has kept finding ways to stick.
Her Iowa résumé helped build that case. Martin became the first player in Hawkeyes history to finish a career with more than 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals and 60 blocks. Her final college season showed the full package: 13.1 points per game on 50 percent shooting, including 37 percent from three, plus 6.8 rebounds a night and the kind of defense that made her valuable all over the floor.
She was a key piece in Iowa’s back-to-back national title appearances, and that stage helped put her on the WNBA radar. Around Hawkeye athletics, she has long been known as one of the program’s great leaders.
"She's a pro player. She brings every asset that you could possibly want - whether it's shooting, defense or leadership," former teammate Caitlin Clark said after watching Martin get drafted. "In my eyes she's one of the best leaders I've been around in my entire life."
Martin has never played like someone chasing headlines. She has built her career on toughness, adaptability and doing whatever a team needs. That willingness to embrace a role is a big part of why teams keep coming back to her when she becomes available.
"I've been in that position before, I know how to be a role-player," Martin said during media day. "I know how to support stars. I've done that for quite a few years, so my intention is to come in and give 100% effort every single day, never take a rep off and just work really hard to be a good teammate."
Martin and the Sparks are back in action Monday night against the Seattle Storm at 9 pm CT.
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Former Hawkeye Bennett Stirtz Already Looks Right At Home In The NBA
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Stirtz finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes, a stat line that fit the way he has long been viewed as a floor general who can also score when the moment calls for it. For Iowa fans, it was an encouraging opening chapter, especially with another familiar name in the mix and the broader question now being how quickly Stirtz can turn a polished summer start into a real role with Oklahoma City. [Read more 🡒]