Kate Martin (No. 20) of the Golden State Valkyries is thriving with her new team and a familiar leader in head coach Natalie Nakase. (Photo: Chloe Jackman Photography | Golden State Valkyries)
INDIANAPOLIS — For second-year guard Kate Martin, the WNBA journey has never been about shortcuts. It’s been about hard work, authenticity, and staying grounded — qualities that have made her an invaluable contributor for the expansion Golden State Valkyries.
From her college days at Iowa to becoming a steady presence in the professional ranks, Martin’s basketball journey has inspired fans and teammates alike. And now, as she helps lay the foundation for a brand-new franchise, Martin is showing what it truly means to lead with humility and grit.
“I think what comes to mind is all of the amazing people that have been in my life and who have helped me get here,” Martin said. “I definitely haven’t done this on my own. But also just remaining true to myself and who I am and always working extremely hard and you know, never being expected to be given anything but, you know, just working for everything I’ve got.”
Drafted 18th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces, Martin has parlayed her leadership and determination from her years with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team to the WNBA.
Martin, who played in 34 games as a rookie with Las Vegas and averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 11.5 minutes, has embraced a larger role with Golden State.
Acquired by the Valkyries in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft on Dec. 6, the 25-year-old has maximized her opportunities with the thriving Western Conference team. Through 18 games with the Valkyries this season, she’s averaging 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game, all while playing a versatile, high-IQ brand of basketball that coaches trust and teammates feed off of.
Being part of an expansion team has come with challenges, but Martin sees the bigger opportunity.
Kate Martin (No. 20) of the Golden State Valkyries drives to the basket against Kennedy Burke (No. 22) and Breanna Stewart (No. 30) of the New York Liberty in the third quarter at Chase Center on June 25, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo: Lachlan Cunningham | Getty Images)
“It’s been honestly tremendous,” she said. “We got to dictate what Valkyrie basketball is. We got to decide what we wanted our culture to be and who we wanted to identify as. And so that’s something super special to be a part of. And I feel very grateful to get to do it with all these girls and this coaching staff.”
A familiar face leads that staff — former Las Vegas assistant coach Natalie Nakase, who now serves as Golden State’s head coach. Martin, who played under Nakase during her rookie year, sees continuity in the passion and mindset her coach brings.
“Nat is just a big competitor. How she does one thing is how she does everything,” Martin said. “She’s just super fiery but lifts you up and always wants to get the best out of all of her players. And so I feel very grateful to play for a coach who has such a strong mindset in that aspect. And she had that in Vegas and she’s only carried it over here as well. And it’s obviously helped us be a super competitive team.”
That competitive edge is apparent every time Martin steps on the court. Though she doesn’t always fill up the stat sheet, her ability to make timely plays, set hard screens, defend multiple positions and keep the offense flowing has become a staple of Golden State’s game.
Her leadership, too, has emerged in subtle yet impactful ways.
“Leadership, I would say, is a little different when it comes to the WNBA,” Martin explained. “We’re all professionals. A lot of these girls have been in the league for way longer than I have. And I learn a lot from all of my teammates and we have some great — I’m surrounded by many, many great leaders and great energy givers on this team.”
Martin’s quiet but effective approach mirrors her time at Iowa, where she became a reliable force beside Caitlin Clark. Though Clark often took the spotlight, Martin was the steady heartbeat of the Hawkeyes — defending, rebounding, facilitating, and always putting the team first. Her unselfishness made her beloved in Iowa City and respected by coaches across the country, often called “The Glue.”
Kate Martin spent time in Downtown Oakland on Mar. 22, 2025, to “Paint the Future.” (Photo: Golden State Valkyries)
Now, in a league filled with elite talent and high expectations, Martin’s game is evolving, but her mindset remains consistent.
“All I do is try to make an impact and just be a good teammate and make my voice known when it needs to be,” Martin said. “But also leading from example and then just relying on my teammates and helping them in any way possible.”
That mindset was on full display in Golden State’s early June win over Las Vegas, where Martin finished with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting and added seven rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes. She’s shot 36.0% from the field this season and has connected on over 34% of her attempts from beyond the arc, proving her value as both a scorer and facilitator.
On June 25, Martin had a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, two rebounds and one steal against the New York Liberty, the reigning WNBA champions. In four of the six past games, Martin has score 11 or more points, providing some energy off the bench.
Her increased confidence has also been evident during the Valkyries’ homestand at Chase Center, affectionately dubbed ‘Ballhalla.’ Whether checking into the game to provide defensive pressure or hitting timely shots, Martin never tries to do too much — she simply gives her team what it needs.
And it’s not just what she brings on the court. Martin’s approachable, steady personality has helped create a welcoming locker room culture that’s rare for an expansion team in a competitive league.
Kate Martin (No. 20) of the Golden State Valkyries embraces her role on the court and as a role model for her fans. (Photo: Golden State Valkyries)
With the Valkyries battling in the middle of the standings at 10-9 after a win over the Indiana Fever, 80-61, and aiming for a playoff push in their inaugural season, Martin’s consistency and commitment to the bigger picture are invaluable. She may not be the loudest or flashiest player on the court, but her impact is undeniable.
Her story resonates because it’s not one of instant stardom or highlight reels — it’s one of perseverance, belief, and staying the course.
If Martin had an opportunity to talk to her younger self about what she’s experienced since her days in her hometown of Edwardsville and playing at Iowa, it’d be more than reaching the destination.
“I think she would just be super proud. I think she would say hard work really does pay off,” Martin shared. “And this has always been my dream, and I think she would just be ecstatic to know that I am living out my dream every single day. I couldn’t have scripted it any better. I couldn’t have imagined it to be how it is now. I feel so grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had, good and bad. It’s shaped me into the person I am today, and I just want to continue to grow that and continue to learn and be a sponge and continue to evolve my game and evolve as a human being.”
For Kate Martin, success in the WNBA isn’t about seeking the spotlight. It’s about doing the work, lifting others, and embracing the grind — one possession at a time.
And in the eyes of her coaches, teammates, and fans, that’s more than enough to be considered a star.
Editor’s Notes
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this exclusive feature on Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin. I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about her journey, leadership perspectives and living her basketball dreams in the WNBA. If you’d like to hear our full one-on-one phone conversation, the complete audio interview is available for playback in the article!
