Kate Martin’s New Nickname Turning Heads After Matchup With Diana Taurasi

Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin has been turning heads since she entered the league. Martin has been one of the top contributing rookies on both ends of the floor, despite being picked out of the stands in the 2024 WNBA draft.

She’s gone from a surprise first-round draft pick to an impact player on a championship roster. In a previous postgame interview, Aces star Kelsey Plum gave Martin a nickname that has since lived on with the Iowa Hawkeyes product.

Martin entered the game late in the first quarter against the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday and the announcers referred to her as “Kate Money Martin.” Plum’s label for the rookie may just stick with Martin for the rest of her career.

Oct 11, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22), guard Kelsey Plum (10), guard Jackie Young (0) and center Kiah Stokes (41) react to a play against the New York Liberty during the second half during game two of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA

When her name was called in the contest against Diana Taurasi and the Mercury, Martin was greeted with a roaring ovation from the crowd, via Heavens FX on X.

She’s becoming a quick fan favorite in her short time in the league.

Kate Martin Brings Adhesive Influence, Winning Pedigree to Las Vegas Aces

The rookie guard from Iowa brings intangibles and leadership to the two-time defending WNBA champions.

Rookies are taking the WNBA by storm in 2024, with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and others bringing their star power from the collegiate game to the pro level. But one team in particular made a sneaky good pick in the second round of the 2024 draft that could pay dividends for years to come.

One of the best stories of draft night was the selection of University of Iowa guard Kate Martin at No. 18 overall by the Las Vegas Aces. She wasn’t one of the 15 players invited to New York for the draft, but she attended anyway to support Clark, her college teammate and friend. When WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert called Martin’s name, it was an emotional moment for all involved.

After grinding through training camp and making it onto the Aces’ final roster, Martin made her WNBA debut last weekend when the Aces played host to the Los Angeles Sparks. She registered three points, five rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes and also impressed teammates with her intangibles.

Kate Martin soaks in the moment after being announced as the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

Martin, who will turn 24 on June 5, represents what franchises are looking for in draftees — potential to improve and willingness to put in the work. She’s proved it throughout her career, and being surrounded by the Aces’ abundance of talent likely will help her raise her game to the next level.

Martin committed to Iowa as a three-star recruit from Edwardsville (Ill.) High School, where her teams went 122-6 in four seasons. She then injured her knee right before her freshman season in college, barely playing during her first two years with the Hawkeyes. She eventually became team captain and earned the nickname “the glue” for her leadership and diverse set of skills. When Martin considered leaving college with one year of eligibility remaining in order to embark on a coaching career, it was Clark who asked her to stick around for the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot tall Martin went on to average 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7% from the field as a fifth-year senior. She earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition as the Hawkeyes marched to the NCAA tournament national championship game for the second consecutive year. She raised her production in this year’s Big Dance, averaging 14.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, but there was little indication whether she would be drafted.

Kate Martin, Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Teammate, Goes Viral in WNBA Debut

Read More

Martin impressed the Aces in training camp, and head coach Becky Hammon went so far as to say Martin was “already a pro.” In Martin’s pro debut against the Sparks, she was energetic and aggressive on defense — evidenced by her impressive blocked shot against 6-foot-7 Sparks center Li Yueru. Martin moved the ball well, facilitated her teammates and scored her first career WNBA points on a three-pointer.

That’s what it means to be the glue. Martin affects a game in ways that defy statistical measurement. She brings things together and holds them in place. Her impact is noticeable.

It appears as though Martin has earned her coach’s trust, as she played 26 minutes against the Sparks, including key stretches of the 89-82 win. Martin had a tougher time in Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury, going scoreless and grabbing two rebounds in a 98-88 loss. Such is the life of a rookie.

If you were watching Martin closely during her pro debut, you saw teammates constantly encouraging her. She’s also being personally mentored by 36-year-old forward Alysha Clark, as the two share a physical playing style as big wings who impact the game in many ways on both ends of the court.

Martin has landed in the perfect situation on a highly talented team that can afford to let her develop at her own pace. It’s due to a bit of luck, but also a ton of hard work and grit.

She put in the work year by year at Iowa and proved she belonged when given an opportunity at Aces training camp. Now, she has the chance to play impactful minutes, learn from some of the best players and coaches in the league and win a championship.