In a moment that tugged at the heartstrings of WNBA fans everywhere, Kate Martin could barely hold back tears as she opened up about her unexpected departure from the Golden State Valkyries.

The fan favorite was waived on May 6 as the Valkyries finalized their opening-day roster for the 2026 season—a move that caught many off guard, especially considering Martin was one of the first players Golden State selected in their expansion draft just months earlier.

Now, after signing a developmental contract with the Los Angeles Sparks, the emotional guard faced the media on May 10, visibly struggling to process the whirlwind of change. "Obviously, it was not easy at all," Martin said, looking up and pausing to fight back tears. She apologized, took a moment to compose herself, and continued with raw honesty.

"It happened on Wednesday, and like, obviously, it's a business decision. That's what professional sports is—a business. I just had to do what was best for me and my career... I felt this was the best decision for me, and I'm very, very excited to be here 1,000%. I'm definitely gonna give it my all, but that process wasn't easy."

Martin’s resilience shone through as she reflected on the personal growth that comes from such setbacks. "Now I feel like I can relate to a lot more people on a level that I never wanted to be able to relate on. It's only going to help me as a leader and as a person going forward."

In a league where roster moves are as swift as a fast break, Martin’s journey reminds us that even the toughest athletes carry a deep love for the game—and the people they play it with.