Fans were immediately excited when news that Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton were heading to the Golden State Valkyries broke about an hour before the Expansion Draft began. Both players will bring a lot to the new WNBA team – Thornton was a key player in the Liberty's race toward the franchise's first-ever Championship last season and will offer a veteran perspective to a team that will benefit hugely from one.
Martin will give something else to the team. A fan favorite throughout her collegiate experience and her rookie year in Las Vegas, she's known for her hard-working mentality and her ability to excite a crowd. In fact, some are already talking about the "Kate Martin effect" that will likely result in increased jersey sales and attendance at games in the Bay Area.
But Martin brings even more to the newest WNBA team — here's what fans of the Valkyries can expect that the Aces already know.
She makes the most of the time she gets on the court
Though she only averaged 11.5 minutes on the court in the 2024 season, Martin is known for maximizing the time that she does get. That's something that former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark commented on following the Expansion Draft.
"It's rare at the pro level what she can bring to a team," Clark said. "She's one of those people that's not going to care how many points, rebounds or assists she has. She's just going to come in and play as hard as possible and be the best teammate she can be. Those are the type of people you want in your locker room."
Martin is also always ready to bring her best skills to a game. "She makes jump shots and threes, she always has her feet ready," Clark added. "Her mid-post game is really good; she has a nice fadeaway and a high basketball IQ."
She's known for learning new skills quickly
Martin's former Aces teammates have also praised her ability to pick up new skills or mentalities quickly. "I love that kid," Kelsey Plum explained following the Expansion Draft. "She picks up things so quickly, she's an amazing sponge. Becky nicknamed her Kate 'Money' Martin. I think that's going to stick. And when I say 'money,' it's not just about scoring, she's just in the right place at the right time. She makes people better."
She has a relationship with Head Coach Natalie Nakase
Martin is also entering the Valkyries in a unique position: she and Head Coach Natalie Nakase already worked together at the Aces and deeply understand the value of the right coach-player relationship. Martin has made it clear that she is invested in supporting her coach and team in every way she can. After all, following the Expansion Draft, she said, "Coach Nakase is someone you’d want to run through a brick wall for."