You can move to new places, but there’s always a special spot in your heart for the place and people that shaped your identity, and Kate Martin is a perfect example of this. The Las Vegas Aces star is in her debut WNBA season and is trying to make her name on the big stage after being picked in the 2024 WNBA draft.

Well, the WNBA rookie used to don Iowa Hawkeyes jersey during her college time and her recent gesture over the web hints that she hasn’t forgotten her roots and is still attached to her college teammates. When Gabbie Marshall, another former player of Iowa Hawkeyes, posted a video on her Instagram account where she was seen flexing her hairstyle, Kate Martin couldn’t resist herself to drop a few words to praise her college teammate.

Martin commented on that post, “Pretty pretty”. This reflects the affection that Martin has for those who were part of her journey to collegiate stardom. Gabbie Marshall was a key player and a close friend of Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark during their time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Now, Marshall has transitioned to a new chapter, having moved to North Carolina to pursue a master’s in occupational therapy.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, another of Martin’s close friends, is now making waves in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever. It’s interesting to see how their paths have diverged, with former teammates occasionally facing off as opponents on the court now. Well, we already know that Kate Martin absolutely loves Iowa, right? But let’s talk about how she’s taking that Hawkeye magic to the WNBA.

Kate Martin’s WNBA rookie season so far

So, Kate Martin hasn’t been seeing a ton of court time in her first WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces. But guess what? She’s totally cool with the rotation role! Instead of stressing about minutes, she’s focused on being a team player and helping the Aces win. Earlier in an interview, Martin stated, “They (Las Vegas Aces) said, ‘You were drafted here for a reason. You don’t have to be anybody else, you don’t have to show out.”

Drafted in the middle of the first round, Kate’s averaging about 15 minutes a game. Not a huge number, but she’s definitely making an impact when she’s out there, averaging 3.6 points with two rebounds and a steal per game. While her stats might not be eye-catching, they highlight her reliability and steady contributions.

Unfortunately, she’s currently out of action due to an injury she sustained in a game against the Chicago Sky last month. Martin is looking forward to a speedy recovery and is eager to get back on the court for the Sparks when the WNBA season picks up again after the Olympic break.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And, join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.