The Los Angeles Sparks have given Kate Martin a fresh start, signing the third-year guard to a developmental deal just three days after the Golden State Valkyries waived her. The announcement came Sunday, marking a new chapter for the 26-year-old sharpshooter.
"Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball," said Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley. "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."
Under the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement, Martin will practice and travel with the team and be eligible for 12 games on the active roster. She'll receive a weekly $750 stipend plus a pro-rated minimum salary of $6,000. The Sparks currently have two developmental roster spots filled—Martin and wing Laura Ziegler.
Martin's journey to Los Angeles has been anything but ordinary. Before entering the WNBA, she was a cornerstone of the Iowa women's basketball team, helping them reach back-to-back national championship games. She made history as the first player in Iowa program history to record 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks in her career.
Drafted 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, Martin was actually in the audience supporting her former teammate and two-time WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark, who went No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever. Martin admitted she didn't expect to hear her name called that night.
She played her entire rookie season with the Aces before the Valkyries selected her in the 2025 expansion draft. Last season with Golden State, Martin averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and an assist across 42 games. But the Valkyries waived her Thursday as they finalized their 13-player roster for 2026.
Now, Martin joins the third WNBA organization of her career and will look to earn a full-time roster spot with the Sparks. For a player known for her grit, tenacity, and winning pedigree, this could be the perfect landing spot to reignite her professional journey.