Aces’ Kate Martin Shares “Weird” Experience of Playing Against Caitlin Clark in Impressive Display

Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark were inseparable at Iowa. They played every game together, tugging along side by side, maintaining a fine-tuned chemistry. They made back-to-back National Championship Game appearances together. Then came Clark’s declaration for the 2024 WNBA draft, where Martin came along as to see her best friend get drafted and with a hope in her heart to be called out as well. After Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever, Kate Martin was called out on stage to be drafted by the 2x champions, the Las Vegas Aces.

Since then they haven’t seen each other, however, stayed in touch while they prepared for her debut in the league. “I miss her a lot. I spent every day with her the last four years, and I haven’t seen her in like a month and a half. I’m excited to see her, and obviously it’s going to be a good game. It’s going to be a fun environment,” were Martin’s words before her recent win against the Indiana Fever when she saw Clark for the first time after graduation. But it wasn’t what she was expecting.

Despite “Weird” encounter, Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark are living the dream

In the post-game interview, Kate Martin engaged in an interesting conversation with the commentators regarding the positive vibe and her first encounter with her best friend and former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark.

She said, “It was weird, I’m not gonna lie. Just looking out on the court and seeing her, uh, you know, in a different jersey than me, it was obviously different,” pointing out the novice nature of their newfound careers.

However, she also kept the spirits high in gratitude as they are competing at the highest level of women’s basketball, saying, “It’s really fun, you know. We’re both living out our dream right now and we both get to compete at the highest level so, uh you know, we’re both really grateful for that opportunity,” Martin said after the Aces beat the Indiana Fever 99-80.

While she is living the dream, Kate had a joyous surprise, bringing back the days in Iowa.

Martin’s first game with a touch of nostalgia

Kate Martin had another great game on Saturday night, scoring 12 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out an assist off the bench. Looking at the last two games, it is safe to say that she is brilliantly growing into her role.

Adding the nostalgia in the game, Martin and Clark’s former head coach, Lisa Bluder, was also present at the game, watching her former student-athletes going against each other and living the dream!

On being asked about the positive vibe because of her former head coach at Iowa, Lisa Bluder’s presence Martin says, “Oh definitely, I mean it’s really cool when your former college coaches were sitting courtside next to the bench. But, I mean, you know, Las Vegas just has a fun environment here… It’s cool that a lot of Hawkeye nation could come out tonight as well.”

The game was a walk down the memory lane as the three Hawkeyes were present under the same roof, cheering for each other.