Reflecting on Change From Caitlin Clark to Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson, Kate Martin Looks Forward to Aces vs Fever Clash

Tuesday is going to be a much-awaited day for the WNBA fans. The reigning champions – Las Vegas Aces will clash with Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. On the one hand, the Clark fever has gripped the W fans, and on the other, the Aces are not far behind as they became the first team to have all their home games sold out. Therefore, the T-Mobile Arena is going to be jam-packed to witness a possible game of the season. One player who is expected to play an important role in the game is Las Vegas’ Kate Martin.

Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark used to be inseparable during their time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Martin spoke about the difference between the gameplays when she was a teammate to Clark compared to when she shares the same locker room with A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray.

Kate Martin speaks of the difference between college and WNBA

Martin was present during an online chat with journalists before the much-anticipated clash. And she revealed how she has been playing different roles from that in college to now in the pro league.

“Yeah, a little bit I would say. Just because it’s a different system than what it was at Iowa. Like at Iowa, you know I could rim run, but here you know our posts are going to rim run. And obviously I’m typically not leaking out for layups because I’m… I’m focused on you know boxing out and getting rebounds and so it’s a little different,” Martin stated during the interview. 

She further stated that she waits for threes from the corners instead of going in transitions. But if the situation demands, then her teammates will come to her support in transitions. She closed her statements by nervously acknowledging that she “didn’t just give away my… my scouting report.” This also made fans feel that she was looking forward to the clash since she was hesitant not to spill much beans about her gameplay.

Then Martin explained how Wilson and Gray can help the team be better. “I know that Chelsea’s gonna find me or A’ja’s you know. It… it makes us more dynamic, harder to guard whenever A’ja can bring up the ball too.”

Notably, Martin played for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2019 to 2024. She was instrumental in helping Clark take the team to two consecutive NCAA Championship Games. She was then drafted as the 18th overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in WNBA 2024 and since then has been adjusting to the level of the W.

The gameplay is far different from what she experienced with the Hawkeyes because in her college she used to have a bigger role than she does with the Aces. In the WNBA, she has a strong support system in Wilson and Gray and she has joined a team that knows how to win. From the team’s point of view, Martin works perfectly as she is the perfect role player. In fact, she was known as the ‘glue’ at Iowa. 

Kate Martin has been playing her role dedicatedly

The Las Vegas Aces have won 10 games and lost 6 of them and Martin has played her role to perfection. Though she hasn’t been entrusted with many responsibilities and has played limited time, she has been instrumental in helping the Aces win games by executing what she has been drafted for.

As of now, Martin averages 3.9 points with 2.2 rebounds per game. Her best performance in terms of points came against the Los Angeles Sparks in early June, when she scored 13.

Hopefully, Martin will continue playing her role and also give her analysis of Clark’s game and mindset to the Aces, which will help them prepare for the game. As for Wilson and Gray, they can continue to support Martin and get the best out of her.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.