Kate Martin
Professional Basketball Player, WNBA & Unrivaled
Kate Martin has turned heads with her steady rise from trusted leader at Iowa to emerging pro with the Golden State Valkyries, earning her place in the WNBA and Unrivaled through toughness and versatility.
Topics
- Women in Sports
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Branding
Social
Bio
Kate Martin, the versatile guard for the Golden State Valkyries, embodies the epitome of a true do-it-all player. Nicknamed “the Glue” while playing at Iowa, Martin has proven her importance to her team at every level. Martin was chosen as the Las Vegas Aces’ 18th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, later securing a spot on the opening day roster. Armed with ambition and a well-rounded skill set, Martin has showcased her multifaceted game at the highest level.
During her college career at Iowa, Martin achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first player in Iowa women’s basketball history to amass over 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks. In her final 2023-24 season, she earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors and averaged 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 50.7% shooting from the field. Her consistent and reliable play throughout her career helped her surpass 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds, and she helped lead Iowa to three consecutive Big Ten tournament titles from 2022-2024 and back-to-back NCAA Tournament championship appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Originally from Edwardsville, Illinois, Martin began playing basketball at age five in local leagues and at the YMCA and grew up going to summer basketball camps at the University of Iowa. At Edwardsville High School, Martin was a key starter, finishing with 1,518 career points, and finished her outstanding career with a 122-6 overall record in her four varsity years.
Accolades
- 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten
- 2x Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2023, 2021)
- 2x Academic All-Big Ten Team (2022, 2021)
- 2022 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
Speakers
Russell Westbrook
Chairman of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, 2017 NBA MVP, Top 75 NBA Player of All-Time, and Philanthropist
Jim Nantz
3x Emmy Award Winner, 5x National Sportscaster of the Year, and Bestselling Author
Sharlee Jeter
President, Turn 2 Foundation, Inc. and VP of Strategy & Development, Jeter Ventures
Blake Griffin
14-year NBA Veteran, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, and 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30
Pat Connaughton
NBA Champion, Philanthropist, and Co-Founder & CEO of Three Leaf Partners
Robin Roberts
Co-Anchor of “Good Morning America”, President of Rock’n Robin Productions, and Best-Selling Author
Richard Jefferson
ESPN and YES Network Analyst, NBA Today Studio Analyst, In-Game Color Analyst, and 17-Year NBA Veteran
Roger Steele
Golf Enthusiast, Content Creator, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and TGL Host
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Professional Race Car Driver, Team Owner, Broadcaster, Author, and Entrepreneur
Arielle Chambers
Multimedia Journalist, ESPN & Andscape Host, and Founder of HighlightHER
