Kate Martin

Kate Martin was born on June 5, 2000, in Edwardsville, Illinois. She embarked on her basketball journey at a young age, playing in recreational leagues and at the YMCA. Her passion for the sport was evident early on, as she frequently attended basketball camps at the University of Iowa, a place she aspired to play for since elementary school. Martin’s early athletic career also included tackle football and volleyball, demonstrating a versatile sporting background. She excelled at Edwardsville High School, playing four years of varsity basketball and being a key player in multiple conference and regional championships. As a junior, she surpassed 1,000 career points, and by her senior year, she was named to both the Associated Press and IBCA Class 4A All-State first-teams. Her high school career concluded with an impressive 122–6 overall record for her class, with undefeated home games.

Martin committed to the University of Iowa, fulfilling a lifelong dream, despite tearing her left ACL and lateral meniscus in 2018, which led to her redshirting her first year. She made her collegiate debut in 2019 and quickly became a consistent starter and team captain from her sophomore season onward. Martin was often referred to as “The Glue” by her coach, Lisa Bluder, for her leadership and ability to unite the team. She played a pivotal role in leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to two consecutive national championship games in 2023 and 2024, alongside teammate Caitlin Clark. Throughout her college career, Martin consistently demonstrated her all-around skills, excelling in scoring, rebounding, and assists. She earned multiple academic and sportsmanship awards, reflecting her dedication both on and off the court, including the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (2021) and second-team All-Big Ten honors (2024).

In 2024, Martin was drafted 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA draft. After one season with the Aces, she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA expansion draft, helping them become the first expansion team to qualify for playoffs. She recorded a WNBA career-high of 21 points with the Valkyries. Following her time with the Valkyries and a brief stint with the Los Angeles Sparks, Martin began playing in the Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, representing Laces BC and later Breeze BC. Her professional career highlights her adaptability and consistent performance in various highly competitive basketball environments. Martin also pursued academic excellence, completing a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in sports and recreation management from the University of Iowa.