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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Kate Martin selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft

Martin played her rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces, but was left unprotected by the team, allowing the Valkyries to select her.
Brad Schultz, Assistant Sports Editor
December 6, 2024
Isabella Tisdale
Las Vegas guard Kate Martin guards Minnesota forward Alanna Smith during a WNBA game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The Lynx defeated the Aces, 87-74. The teams faced off two days prior in Las Vegas, where the Lynx won, 98-87.

Former Iowa women’s basketball star Kate Martin is switching WNBA teams.

On Friday, the guard was selected by the expansion team Golden State Valkyries as the sixth selection in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft.

“I’m really excited for this new beginning and to build something from the ground up with the Valkyries,” Martin told USA Today.”My focus has just been getting better all around. I had a decent rookie season, but I just know something that is really cool about me is that my ceiling is really high. I have a lot of room to grow.”

Martin previously played her rookie season for the Las Vegas Aces under head coach Becky Hammon, posting 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game game. The Aces finished the regular season with an impressive 27-13 record, but failed to capture a third consecutive WNBA title, falling in five games to the eventual champion New York Liberty in the semifinals.

Martin’s contract with the Aces ran through 2026, but the team left her unprotected in the expansion draft, allowing the Valkyries to select her. Each team in the league can protect six of their players and also have a core designation, something similar to the NFL’s franchise tag.

Golden State was announced as the league’s 13th team on Oct. 5, 2023, and will begin play during the 2025 season. The Valkyries will play their home games at the Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Aces assistant coach Natalie Nakase was hired as Golden State’s inaugural head coach on Oct. 10.

“We are excited to have officially started the journey of building the Golden State Valkyries 2025 team,” General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin told USA Today. “Our goal was to construct a roster that embodies both versatility and depth, bringing in a strong mix of leadership, defense, and scoring ability. These players were carefully chosen not only for their skills on the court, but also for their ability to fit into the culture we’re working to build here at Golden State.”

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