3 Days Ago, Kate Martin Was Cut—Today, She’s a Los Angeles Spark

Kate Martin lives by one mantra: “Why not me?” In July 2024, the University of Iowa alum shared powerful words with players at her alma mater: “Our first Final Four, we had the mantra of ‘Why Not Us.’ It’s like, why not show up every single day and work your a– off and see what can happen? What’s the worst that’s going to happen? Why not come in and get extra shots up and be the best teammate that you can possibly be and see where your life is going to take you?”

As a Hawkeye, Martin poured her heart out on the court—and it did not go unnoticed. Caitlin Clark called her “the glue” and “the best leader and best teammate I’ve had in my entire life.” Martin’s determination and team-first mentality took her all the way to the WNBA.

The Las Vegas Aces used their 18th overall pick to select Martin in the 2024 WNBA draft. During her rookie season, the Illinois native played meaningful minutes for the back-to-back champs. She won over 3-time league MVP A’ja Wilson and impressed head coach Becky Hammon. After the Aces’ season-opening win against the Los Angeles Sparks, the coach told The Las Vegas Review-Journal, “She just doesn’t make mistakes…She plays so hard.”

When the Golden State Valkyries selected her in the 2024 expansion draft, Martin became the heart and soul of the franchise’s inaugural 2025 season, helping the new team to a stunning playoff appearance and earning a fanbase so devoted that she became one of the most beloved players in the league.

And that’s exactly why what happened on May 7 was so shocking: Just one day before the Valkyries’ season opener, the team waived Martin—a stunning, heartbreaking end to the chapter she had only just begun writing. But on Sunday, May 10, 2026—just hours before the Sparks’ season opener—Martin signed a player development contract with the team. It’s a roster spot that allows her to both practice with the Sparks and suit up for up to 12 regular-season games.

“Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in a statement. “She’s confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate. We’re eager to watch Kate develop within our system.”

And this afternoon will mark a full circle moment almost too perfect to script: In her WNBA debut with the Aces, Kate Martin played against the Sparks. Fast forward to today, and she’ll be lacing up in her Sparks debut to compete against the Aces.

Why not her? Why not now?

Who is Kate Martin?

Born and raised in Edwardsville, Illinois, Kate Martin went on to attend the University of Iowa, where she became one of the most legendary players in program history. The 6-foot guard played five seasons of basketball for the Hawkeyes (after a redshirt year due to a knee injury), helping lead the team to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024 alongside Caitlin Clark.

During her time there, she became the first women’s basketball player in program history to record at least 900 career points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals and 60 blocks. She also earned the nickname that would follow her into the pros: “the Glue.”

“The Glue” was first given to her by then-Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder, who praised Martin’s leadership as team captain and credited her as the player who held the Hawkeyes together. The nickname stuck and fans still call her that today.

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Why did the Golden State Valkyries waive Kate Martin?

On May 7, 2026—just one day before Golden State’s home opener against the Seattle Storm—the Valkyries announced they had waived Martin to finalize their 12-player roster. Head coach Natalie Nakase called the decision “very emotional,” but pointed to the team’s offseason additions as the deciding factor.

During the offseason, the team signed All-Star forward Gabby Williams and guaranteed contracts to guards Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes. Combined with the unprotected nature of Martin’s rookie contract and a Grade 2 quad strain she suffered in training camp, they felt it just did not make sense for their new roster.

It wasn’t the only decision that left WNBA fans scratching their heads. Just weeks earlier, Golden State traded the No. 8 overall pick Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle for the No. 16 pick Marta Suárez, before waiving Suárez just a few weeks later!

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How does Kate Martin fit with the LA Sparks?

I have to admit: I’m a huge Sparks fan—I even got to sit courtside next to Billie Jean King during their 2023 season opener—and I’ve been a fan of Martin since her Hawkeye days.

Me, Billie Jean King and Natasha smiling for a photo while courtside at a Los Angeles Sparks opener in 2023!

First, let’s remember that while the Sparks may have had a rough start earlier in the 2025 season (their record was 6-14), they went on to finish 15-9 over the second half of the season under first-year head coach Lynne Roberts. It marked one of the hottest stretches by any team in the WNBA and they closed out the season 21-23—a 13-win improvement from 2024 and the second-biggest year-over-year jump in the league.

Coach Roberts enters the 2026 season with a clear identity: experienced veterans surrounded by sharp-shooting guards. Two-time All-Star Kelsey Plum runs the offense alongside three-time All-Star Dearica Hamby, while Olympic gold medalist Ariel Atkins joins the team after a trade from the Chicago Sky and Nneka Ogwumike returns for her 13th season after a stint in Seattle.

And after an ACL injury cost her most of her first two WNBA seasons, 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick Cameron Brink is back, healthy and strong. We can’t overlook Rae Burrell—who became one of the breakout stars of the Sparks’ second-half run last season (Los Angeles went 17-11 with her in the lineup, 4-12 without). She’s entering 2026 fresh off a Team USA invite and an electric Unrivaled season.

For all of these reasons, Kate Martin is the perfect addition for this Sparks roster. She’s a tenacious defender who can hit threes and deliver when it counts the most. Plus, she brings the kind of leadership, camaraderie and locker room presence that championship teams are built around. And anyone who’s watched her play knows she makes a difference that statistics can’t measure—grit, determination and the ability to uplift her teammates—both on and off the court.

With this Sparks team riding momentum into 2026, she’s exactly the kind of “glue” you want.

When Will Kate Martin Make Her Sparks Debut?

Today! The Sparks face off against the Aces at 6:00 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on USA Network and streaming options include Fubo (free trial available) and Amazon Prime Video.

Whether Martin checks into today’s game or watches from the bench, she’ll be wearing a Sparks jersey for the very first time—in one of basketball’s most iconic arenas—as WNBA fans across the globe cheer her on.

Kate Martin proves that the best comebacks really do start with a closed door—and the courage to keep asking, “Why not me?” I’ll be at Crypto.com Arena today to watch it all go down. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a game to get ready for!

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