History of Kate Martin in Timeline

Kate Marie Martin is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Golden State Valkyries of the WNBA and Breeze of Unrivaled. She played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was drafted in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft by the Las Vegas Aces.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1992: Iowa's First No.1 Seed Since 1992

In 2024, the Hawkeyes were named a No. 1 seed in the Albany 2 regional, marking Iowa's first time as a top seed since 1992.

1993: First Final Four Since 1993

In 2023, Iowa reached their first Final Four since 1993, where Kate Martin contributed to Iowa's upset win over South Carolina.

June 5, 2000: Kate Martin's Birth

On June 5, 2000, Kate Marie Martin was born. She later became an American professional basketball player.

2012: IESA State Championship Game

In 2012, Kate Martin led her basketball team to the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Class 4A state championship game, but lost by three points in the final.

2013: IESA Class 4A State Championship

In 2013, Kate Martin helped her middle school volleyball team win the seventh-grade IESA Class 4A state championship in straight sets. In the same year, her basketball team claimed victory at the 2013 eighth grade IESA Class 4A state championship.

2014: Volleyball Team Placed Third at State Championship

In 2014, Kate Martin's volleyball team placed third at the eighth grade state championship.

2016: Finished Season with 32-1 Record

In 2016, as a junior, the number-one-ranked Edwardsville team finished their season with a 32–1 record, reaching the Class 4A state championship final.

2016: Second Straight State Quarterfinal Loss

In 2016, during her sophomore year, Kate Martin helped Edwardsville defeat Rock Island High School in the sectional championship. However, her team suffered a second straight state quarterfinal loss to Benet Academy. Martin earned Class 4A All-State fourth-team accolades from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).

May 2017: Verbal Commitment to Iowa Hawkeyes

In May 2017, Kate Martin verbally committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team after her official weekend visit at Iowa. She announced this commitment on Twitter.

November 2017: Signed Letter of Intent with Iowa

In November 2017, Kate Martin formally signed her letter of intent and received a full athletic scholarship from the University of Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes.

2017: State Championship Final Loss

In 2017, the number-one-ranked Edwardsville team, including Kate Martin, was upset by Geneva Community High School in the Class 4A state championship final. Martin was named to the IBCA All-State Class 4A second-team and was selected as an Associated Press (AP) All-State honorable mention at the conclusion of her junior season.

June 2018: ACL and Lateral Meniscus Tear

In June 2018, Kate Martin tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral meniscus during practice for the IBCA high school all-star game, causing her to miss the entire 2018–19 season.

2018: Finished Fourth in Postseason Tournament Play

In 2018, as a senior, Kate Martin led the number-one-ranked Edwardsville team to their fourth consecutive Southwestern Conference (SWC), regional, and sectional titles. Her team finished the 2017–18 season with a 30–2 record and reached their second consecutive Class 4A semifinal, ultimately finishing fourth in postseason tournament play. She was named to both the Associated Press and the IBCA Class 4A All-State first-teams as a senior.

November 7, 2019: Collegiate Debut

On November 7, 2019, Kate Martin made her collegiate debut in a win over Florida Atlantic, playing from the bench.

2019: Played 24 Games

In 2019, Kate Martin made her collegiate debut and played 24 games from the bench.

2019: Iowa Reached Elite Eight in NCAA Tournament

In 2019, despite Kate Martin missing the season due to injury, Iowa finished their season with a 29–7 record, won the Big Ten tournament title, and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

2019: Reunited with Megan Gustafson

On May 13, 2024, Kate Martin was named to the 2024 Las Vegas Aces roster, reuniting with her former Hawkeye teammate, Megan Gustafson for the first time since 2019.

March 12, 2020: NCAA Tournament Canceled

On March 12, 2020, the NCAA canceled the 2020 women's basketball tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively ending the 2019–20 season.

2020: Season Ended Due to COVID-19

In 2020, the NCAA canceled the women's basketball tournament, effectively ending the season.

2021: Praised as "The Glue" of the team

Before the start of the 2021-22 college basketball season, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder praised Kate Martin's leadership as team captain and called her "The Glue" of their team.

2021: Cousin interns for Iowa women's basketball operations

From 2021 to 2024, Kate Martin's maternal cousin, Laney Fitzpatrick, ran cross country and middle distance at the University of Iowa and interned for Iowa women's basketball operations as an undergraduate.

2021: First Career Double-Double

In 2021, Kate Martin posted her first career double-double for Iowa with a career-best 19 points with 11 assists in a win over Penn State. She was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team, was selected as Iowa's women's basketball honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, and won Iowa's 2021 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.

March 4, 2022: Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal

On March 4, 2022, in the quarterfinal match-up of the Big Ten tournament, Kate Martin recorded 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds in Iowa's 71–59 win over Northwestern.

May 2022: Completed bachelor's degree at the University of Iowa

In May 2022, Kate Martin completed her bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management at the University of Iowa and began working on a Master of Arts degree in the same field.

2022: Referred to as "The Glue" in post-game press conference

In a 2022 post-game press conference, Lisa Bluder described Kate Martin as "The Glue" and highlighted her role in holding the team together.

February 2023: Announced Return for Sixth Season

In February 2023, Kate Martin announced her return for a sixth and final season with Iowa, taking advantage of her redshirt year and the NCAA's COVID-19 eligibility extension.

October 15, 2023: Played in Crossover at Kinnick

On October 15, 2023, Kate Martin played in the Crossover at Kinnick, a preseason charity exhibition game against DePaul at the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium. Martin contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in Iowa's win over DePaul. Crossover at Kinnick set a new record attendance for women's basketball and raised ~$250,000 for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

December 2023: First in Iowa women's basketball history with 900+ points, 500+ rebounds, 400+ assists, 120+ steals, and 60+ blocks

In December 2023, Kate Martin became the first player in Iowa women's basketball history to achieve the milestone of accumulating over 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks.

2023: Rematch against LSU in the Elite Eight

In 2023, Iowa faced a rematch of their national championship game against LSU in the Elite Eight.

2023: Advanced to First Women's Basketball Championship Game

In 2023, Kate Martin helped Iowa win their second consecutive Big Ten tournament title, handily defeating Ohio State. Iowa reached their first women's basketball championship game in program history, where Martin contributed 13 points and six assists, but Iowa fell to LSU. The national championship game marked Martin's 100th career start for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

2023: National Championship Game Appearance

In 2023, Kate Martin, as a senior, helped lead Iowa to their first national championship game.

2023: Selected for the 2023–24 Big Ten Winter Academic All-Conference team

In March 2024, Kate Martin earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference's coaches and media and was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree for Iowa women's basketball for the fourth consecutive year. She was also selected for the 2023–24 Big Ten Winter Academic All-Conference team.

February 2024: Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale USBWA Women's National Player of the Year watchlist

In February 2024, Kate Martin was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale USBWA Women's National Player of the Year watchlist.

February 2024: Named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "So You Want To Be A Coach" class

In February 2024, Kate Martin was nominated by her Iowa coaches and was later named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's 2024 "So You Want To Be A Coach" class.

March 2024: Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors

April 13, 2024: Appeared in Saturday Night Live closing credits

On April 13, 2024, Kate Martin appeared in the closing credits of Saturday Night Live alongside her Iowa teammates, following Caitlin Clark's surprise appearance on Weekend Update.

April 2024: Attended Kelsey Plum's second annual Dawg Class

In April 2024, Kate Martin attended Kelsey Plum's second annual Dawg Class, a camp designed to help top college guards transition to professional basketball.

April 22, 2024: Signed to the Aces' rookie scale contract

On April 22, 2024, Kate Martin was officially signed to the Las Vegas Aces' rookie scale contract, marking the start of her professional WNBA career.

May 13, 2024: Named to the 2024 Las Vegas Aces roster

On May 13, 2024, Kate Martin was named to the 2024 Las Vegas Aces roster, reuniting with her former Hawkeye teammate, Megan Gustafson for the first time since 2019.

May 2024: Signed with Excel Sports Management

In May 2024, Kate Martin signed with Excel Sports Management, marking a significant step in her professional career.

May 18, 2024: WNBA regular season debut

On May 18, 2024, Kate Martin made her WNBA regular season debut in a home win against the Los Angeles Sparks, contributing 3 points, three assists, five rebounds, and a block in 26 minutes.

May 31, 2024: Suggested fans be called "The Martinis"

After the Aces' May 31, 2024 game against the Atlanta Dream, Kate Martin suggested that her fans be called "The Martinis".

June 9, 2024: First career start for the Aces

On June 9, 2024, Kate Martin made her first career start for the Aces against the Los Angeles Sparks, contributing 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

September 2024: Partnership with American Eagle Outfitters

In September 2024, Kate Martin announced her partnership with American Eagle Outfitters on her social media platforms.

October 2024: TikTok ad campaign for TOGETHXR and Aflac

In October 2024, Kate Martin appeared in a TikTok ad campaign for TOGETHXR and Aflac alongside Aces' teammate, Sydney Colson.

October 28, 2024: Announcement of participation in Unrivaled league

On October 28, 2024, it was announced that Kate Martin would appear and play in the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

December 6, 2024: Selected by Golden State Valkyries in WNBA expansion draft

On December 6, 2024, Kate Martin was selected as the Golden State Valkyries' pick from the Las Vegas Aces' roster in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft.

2024: Cousin interns for Iowa women's basketball operations

2024: WNBA Draft Selection

In 2024, Kate Martin was selected in the second round (18th overall) by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA draft.

2024: Hawkeyes named No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament

In 2024, the Iowa Hawkeyes were named a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1992.

January 2025: Partnered with Athleta and their "Power of She Collective"

In January 2025, Kate Martin partnered with Athleta and their "Power of She Collective", joining fellow female athletes Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Lexie Hull.

February 2025: Joined Samsung's Team Galaxy social campaign

In February 2025, Kate Martin joined Samsung's Team Galaxy social campaign.

June 25, 2025: WNBA Career-High 21 Points

On June 25, 2025, Kate Martin recorded her WNBA career-high 21 points, 14 of which in the final quarter, in the team's narrow three-point loss to the New York Liberty.

November 5, 2025: Drafted by Breeze BC for 2026 Unrivaled season

On November 5, 2025, it was announced that Kate Martin had been drafted by Breeze BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season.

2025: Played for the Laces in the 2025 Unrivaled season

In 2025, Kate Martin played for the Laces in the Unrivaled league, marking her participation in the women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.