After the Los Angeles Sparks announced on May 10 that they had signed former Iowa women’s basketball star Kate Martin to a player development contract for the 2026 WNBA season, here are some of the best social media reactions from fans across the nation who took to social media to express their excitement and congratulate the former Hawkeye on the newest chapter in her professional career.
Martin, who was waived by Golden State on Thursday, May 7, due primarily to a Grade II quad strain suffered on April 28, limiting her ability to immediately impact the Valkyries’ current squad. Now that she is a part of the Sparks’ organization, the well-traveled guard will play for her third WNBA franchise in as many years.
It is also important to note that the player development deal operates differently from a traditional contract: Martin has access to everything available to her new teammates but can play in up to 12 games once activated. This type of contract was introduced in the newly codified collective bargaining agreement, which allows teams to carry up to two developmental players who do not affect the franchise’s salary cap and provide depth in the event of injuries.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball fans react to Kate Martin’s new WNBA contract
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
