Former Iowa women’s basketball star Kate Martin played in her seventh game of the season on Sunday night as part of her player development contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.
After LA’s 89-72 win over the Portland Fire on Sunday, Sparks star Kelsey Plum praised the former Hawkeye and voiced her hopes that Martin wouldn’t be on a player development contract much longer.
“Love Kate Martin. Kate Martin for president!” Plum said after the Sparks’ win over the Fire. “Yeah, hopefully not for long. You see her impact every time she goes in the game, her energy, she makes shots, she’s super active, and we need more of Kate Martin.”
The 6-foot guard scored five points and knocked down a 3-pointer in eight minutes of action on Sunday. Martin’s player development contract allows her to play in up to 12 games before the Sparks need to either cut or sign her to a standard WNBA contract.
In limited action, Martin has clearly made an impact on the team’s culture, energy, and on-court play. So far in her seven games played, Martin averages 3.3 points per game on 50% shooting and 41.7% from 3-point land.
The next game Martin could potentially be activated for comes on Wednesday, June 10, when Los Angeles visits the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Sparks star voices hopes that Kate Martin sticks around long-term
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
