Iowa’s Kate Martin Selected by Golden State Valkyries in WNBA Expansion Draft

2024 has been a crazy year for one beloved WNBA rookie from the University of Iowa.

Kate Martin helped bring the Hawkeyes to their second NCAA championship in two years. The senior, #20 along with certified G.O.A.T. Caitlin Clark ushered in a whole new era for the college program.

Unfortunately, Iowa fell to South Carolina in the finals.

However, after facing that disappointment, Martin was in for the surprise of a lifetime during the 2024 WNBA Draft.

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The six foot college player was attending the WNBA Draft to support her best friend and teammate Clark. Caitlin was anticipated to be selected #1 overall this time around.

When it came time for the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces to select a player for their rookie class, they decided to pick Iowa's own Kate Martin. She was selected #18 overall in the draft.

During her rookie season, it was clear that she bonded with some WNBA heavy hitters like A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and fellow former Iowa Hawkeye Megan Gustafson.

Now, Money Martin is off on a new adventure for the 2025 season.

Kate Martin Drafted Twice in One Year

Due to the rapid success of the game, the WNBA has been in the process of expanding its teams. The newest team to join the fold will be set up in San Francisco, the Golden State Valkyries.

On Friday, December 6th the Golden State Valkyries had their own sort of mini draft where they could select unprotected players from other team's rosters.

Fan favorite Kate Martin was picked to join this new team in San Francisco. The fact that Martin is leaving the Aces for the Valkyries shows that the rookie was not protected. Each team had the opportunity to protect six of their players.

Number 20 had a great breakout year. Getting double digit playing time in the first half of the season whilst multiple Aces players recovered from injuries, Martin proved that she deserved to be in the league.

However, as these players got healthier, Money Martin got less playing time. To top that all off, Martin also had to deal with her own injury.

After getting selected, Kate Martin told ESPN,

"I am very thankful for the Aces and everything I got to learn there, but I'm really excited for this new beginning and to build something from the ground up with the Valkyries."

There are two other additional teams that will be coming to the WNBA in the next few years. This includes the first Canadian team for the league, the Toronto Tempo and a yet to be named team based in Portland, Oregon.

A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and the Public React

To say that this moment was bittersweet for the rook is an understatement.

In the hours following the expansion draft, fans and athletes alike were weighing in. Fans of the former Iowa captain as well as ESPNW were creating these emotional video edits of the 24-year-old.

@lil.paigey_5♬ original sound - Noah Kahan

WNBA 2024 MVP and Martin's teammate from the Aces A'ja Wilson shared a special bond with her rookie. Once the announcement came in that #20 was going to be leaving Las Vegas, Wilson made a post to her Instagram story.

"My baby, so happy for you, you are a gem," the Aces center said.

And don't think her best friend and Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark didn't have anything to say about the move. Clark also posted on her Instagram story, "Let's go Kater!!!!!"

Who Else Will Be Joining Kate Martin on the Valkyries?

The only team that did not lose a player in this expansion draft was the Seattle Storm.

According to a press release from the NBA website, the newest team in the league will also be participating in the WNBA draft on Monday, April 14th next year. As of right now, Golden State has the fifth, 17th and 30th overall selections in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Here is the current Golden State Valkyrie roster from the expansion draft.

• Iliana Rupert from the Atlanta Dream
• Maria Conde from the Chicago Sky
• Veronica Burton from the Connecticut Sun
• Carla Leite from the Dallas Wings
• Temi Fagbenle from the Indiana Fever
• Kate Martin from the Las Vegas Aces
• Stephanie Talbot from the Los Angeles Sparks
• Cecilia Zandalasini from the Minnesota Lynx
• Kayla Thornton from the New York Liberty
• Monique Billings from the Phoenix Mercury
• Julie Vanloo from the Washington Mystics

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