On 2024 WNBA Draft night, former Iowa guard Kate Martin only hoped that she’d get her name called after going to the event, only to support Caitlin Clark. But now, her dream of making it into the WNBA has finally come true.
The Las Vegas Aces drafted her in round 2, but that didn’t confirm her WNBA participation, as the second-round picks go through multiple rounds of cut before making it to the final 12-player squad of the franchise.
The Aces announced on Monday that Martin was included in the 12-player squad for their opening-day game on Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury. Her new teammate, Kelcy Plum, was vocal in her praise for the 23-year-old and said, “Kate Martin is awesome. Kate Martin picks up things so quickly. She’s an amazing sponge. We nicknamed her ‘Kate Money Martin,’ so I think that could stick because she really is.”
Martin was pivotal to Iowa’s NCAA women’s championship finals run under Lisa Bluder, who received a wholesome message from her former player after her retirement.
Kate Martin Reacts to Lisa Bluder Retirement
On Monday, Lisa Bluder announced her retirement after 44 years of coaching. Her assistant Jan Jenson will succeed her in the Iowa hotseat from next season.
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Messages came pouring in after the announcement and Kate Martin was one of the well-wishers who joined in to applaud the stellar career of Bluder. Martin wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Extremely grateful to have been coached by Bluder and I’m so happy for her. If you know Bluder, you know that wasn’t an easy decision for her. I am even more excited about (Jan Jensen) to take over this amazing program. Iowa women’s basketball is in great hands. Go Hawks!!”
Under Bluder, Martin averaged 13.1 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in her final season with Iowa. The veteran HC’s retirement marks the end of an era in Iowa and Martin, who got her chance in the WNBA, will hope to begin her era in the Aces threads.
