What Kate Martin’s performance in Unrivaled means about her future in the WNBA

By all accounts Kate Martin is enjoying a successful season in Unrivaled so far — and there is plenty to be excited about in terms of her future in the WNBA with the Golden State Valkyries.

Martin is a member of the Laces BC, and she and her teammates (Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, and Stefanie Dolson) are so far undefeated. The new league has also afforded her the chance to make a major impact, and to show off skills that her fans from college remember, but that she didn’t always get a chance to display while with the Aces.

What Kate Martin's performance in Unrivaled means about her future in the WNBA

Kate Martin is a hard worker

Martin has always been known for her work ethic on and off the court. From her former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder to the team she was surrounded by during her rookie season with the Aces, she has been consistently praised for her ability to meet and exceed each and every challenge placed before her.

Unrivaled has been no different. Her basketball IQ, intelligent playmaking, and aggressiveness when attacking the rim are on full display in the new league, and Martin still has weeks to go until the playoffs begin in March — which gives her plenty of time to continue to flourish.

Having freedom helps Kate Martin show off all of her skills

If there was anyone who wasn’t surprised when Martin was drafted out of the audience in 2024, it was probably fans who watched her play for five years at Iowa in the first place. Unrivaled has helped highlight the skills that a lot of people have always known Martin has had.

Though her role at the Aces was largely to hit corner three-pointers, at Iowa Martin was known for her ability to drive to the basket and tackle fadeaway shots — two skills that are definitely on display right now in Miami as she continues to help the Laces maintain their undefeated streak.

It’s time for Kate Martin to have a larger role on a team

All of this points to a truth that was likely behind Coach Natalie Nakase’s decision to draft Martin to the Valkyries in the first place: she’s ready to have a larger role on a team where she can truly make an impact. Unrivaled gives Martin more freedom, which is something she’s very likely to enjoy at Golden State in a few short months.

WNBA and women’s basketball fans have a lot to look forward to from Kate Martin in the coming years, and the Golden State Valkyries are set to reap it all.