Kate Martin's WNBA Experience With Aces Has Reinforced What She Always Believed
Just one year ago, even Kate Martin herself would not have predicted what she'd be spending her 2024 summer doing.
That is, playing for the two-time defending WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces. And not just playing for the Aces, but carving out a crucial role for herself off the bench.
Martin has stated that she was not expecting to get selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and instead attended the event to support her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate and best friend Caitlin Clark.
Then the Aces selected Martin with pick No. 18 of the Draft.
Since then, Martin earned herself a roster spot, became a three-and-D stalwart for Las Vegas, and even became the WNBA's fourth-highest jersey seller in her rookie season.
The Aces are facing off against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday. When Martin was asked which of her strengths have been shown while with Las Vegas, she delivered an excellent response.
"I think honestly it's just kind of what I've known. It's that, you know, I can play with anybody and that I'm a really good shooter," Martin responded. "And I find myself in good positions a lot, and being able to knock down an open three is super important whenever you have such great players surrounding you.
"And so I've been in that position before, where, you know, I'm going to get open because they'll have to help on A'ja [Wilson], Chelsea [Gray], Jackie [Young], Kelsey [Plum], everybody else," Martin continued. "And so, yeah, whenever I can knock down those open threes, I have to do that."
Kate told me something interesting today. She said the WNBA can show you your weaknesses really fast, but it can also show you your strengths.
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) August 23, 2024
I asked which strengths it's shown her since she joined the Aces.
She pointed out her shooting prowess, an ability to play with anyone. pic.twitter.com/bPhhbHGYOV
Martin made a college career out of making opponents pay when they over-guarded Caitlin Clark. Now she's doing the same for the Aces.
GRANT YOUNG
Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.