Kate Martin shares why she was the perfect choice for Nakase's Valkyries

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm
Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm | Steph Chambers/GettyImages

News that former Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin would be drafted to the Golden State Valkyries broke about an hour before last night's Expansion Draft, simultaneously delighting Valkyries supporters and devastating Aces fans.

If there's one person who seemed happy with the swap, it was Martin herself. While speaking to ESPN after the draft, she had nothing but praise for Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase, also an Aces alum (Nakase was an assistant coach for the team for three years). "Coach Nakase is somebody you're going to run through a brick wall for... those are the kind of coaches that you just want to give your all for," she explained.

Martin also said she sees plenty of opportunities on the team for herself. "My ceiling is very high," she explained. "Coach Nakase hangs her hat on defense. I want to be able to be somebody who can lock down the number one or two option on other teams."

Martin later expressed gratitude for her former team. She was a surprise second round draft pick for the Aces, and only attended the draft to support her former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark. "I'm really excited [to join the Valkyries]," Martin said. "This league is all about opportunity and you just need one shot. I'm very thankful for the Aces and everything I got to learn there, but I'm excited for this new team and to build something from the ground up."

The Aces issued their own statement thanking Martin "for all of her hard work and dedication to the team this past year." The organization added, "We are proud of Kate and the impact she has made as a member of the Aces team. Although we are sad to see her leave, being selected by Golden State shows the value Kate possesses in this league, and we all wish her nothing but the best as she continues her career with the Valkyries."

"As with anyone who has been a member of this historic franchise, once an Ace, always an Ace, and Kate will always be a member of the Las Vegas Aces family," the team's statement concluded.

The chance to build a team from the very beginning is something that's only been afforded to a relatively small number of players in the WNBA. The last Expansion Draft took place all the way back in 2008, when the Atlanta Dream joined the league. Though the Dream had a lackluster first season, they drafted former University of Louisville forward/guard Angel McCoughtry as the first overall pick the following year, a decision that proved fruitful.

As for Aces fans who will miss Martin, as sportscaster Chris Williamson noted on X, the memories will last forever.