For Kate Martin, nothing in her WNBA career has come easy. First, she had to claim a roster spot on a team contending for a championship as a second-round pick. Then, she had to navigate a rookie season that didn’t yield much playing time before being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft. Even with the Valkyries, playing time has not been a guarantee.
Nevertheless, Martin has held on to that energy that made her a fan favorite at Iowa and with the Aces. When she appeared on Sue Bird’s podcast Bird’s Eye View, Martin demonstrated some simple attributes that make her the perfect teammate: she is humble and dedicated to helping everyone else on the roster.
Kate Martin brings the right energy to the Valkyries
Kate Martin may not be a young star in the making, but she can still have a significant impact on a WNBA team. If developed correctly and given a chance to grow, Martin has the potential to become a great role player—someone who does all the little things on the court and complements a group of star players.
She is also a great teammate. That came out when she answered Sue Bird’s question of what she could bring to the Valkyries. Martin could have mentioned her ability to impact a game without having the ball in her hands a lot or seeing a ton of minutes, or the way she can boost a team off the bench as she did in the Valkyries’ game against the Lynx.
Instead, Martin said, “I really feel like I’ve been able to bring a lot of energy, a lot of fun. That’s something I try to do every single day is like hype up my teammates like no other.”
That is a really humble, selfless attitude from a young player trying to claim a consistent role in the WNBA.
2025 is a big season for Kate Martin
Kate Martin hasn’t played a ton of minutes yet this season. She is currently averaging the third-fewest minutes on the Valkyries’ roster. Nevertheless, 2025 will be a crucial season for her. She just had a breakout game and will undoubtedly see more minutes during EuroBasket.
The Valkyries feature a lot of European players, and while some, like Carla Leite, have already decided not to suit up for their national team, Golden State will be short-handed for much of June. Julie Vanloo and Janelle Salün are both playing in EuroBasket, and Cecilia Zandalasini and Temi Fagbenle will likely also be out. That opens the doors for a bigger role for Martin.