Kate Martin, born on June 5, 2000, in Edwardsville, Illinois, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Before her professional career, Martin made a name for herself as a standout athlete at Edwardsville High School and later as a key player for the Iowa Hawkeyes in college basketball.
Known for her leadership and versatility on the court, she was drafted in the second round (18th overall) by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 WNBA Draft before joining the Valkyries.
Siblings
Kate grew up alongside two older siblings, Kennedy Martin and Trevor Martin, in a household where athletics and education were highly valued.
Kennedy followed a similar path into basketball. She played as a forward for Truman State University, a Division II program, where she appeared in 68 games during her college career.
After earning a degree in marketing, Kennedy transitioned into a professional career outside of sports, currently working as a Territory Manager at Hologic, Inc., according to her LinkedIn profile.
Career
Martin’s basketball career began at age five, playing in local recreational leagues and honing her skills through her father’s coaching.
At Edwardsville High School, she emerged as a leader, captaining the team to a 122-6 record over four years, including four consecutive Southwestern Conference titles and a fourth-place finish in the Illinois Class 4A State Tournament her senior year (2017-18).
Despite a serious setback—an ACL and lateral meniscus tear in June 2018 that forced her to miss her freshman season at Iowa—Martin’s determination propelled her forward.
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At the University of Iowa, Martin became a cornerstone of the Hawkeyes program, earning the nickname The Glue from coach Lisa Bluder for her ability to hold the team together.
She captained the team for four seasons, playing alongside superstar Caitlin Clark and helping lead Iowa to back-to-back national championship games in 2023 and 2024.
Her college stats reflect her all-around game: over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks, making her the first Iowa women’s basketball player to achieve this statistical milestone.
In the WNBA, Martin’s journey began with the Las Vegas Aces, where her strong preseason performance secured her a roster spot on the two-time defending champions.
Now with the Golden State Valkyries, she continues to build her professional legacy as a combo guard known for tenacity and leadership.
Accolades
During high school, Martin earned the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Class 4A All-State Fourth-Team recognition as a sophomore and IBCA First-Team All-State honors her senior year.
She was also named the Belleville News-Democrat Class 3A-4A Player of the Year in 2018 and finished her high school career with 1,518 points, the fourth-most in Edwardsville High School history.
In college with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Martin received the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in 2021 and Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024.
She became the first Iowa women’s player to record 900+ points, 500+ rebounds, 400+ assists, 120+ steals, and 60+ blocks, and the 43rd player in Iowa history to surpass 1,000 career points.
In the WNBA, she was selected 18th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces.
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