Kate Martin’s impressive performance and half-court shot make her a fan favorite in Las Vegas

Kate Martin drains half-court shot, wows Aces fans and teammates

Kate Martin drains half-court shot, wows Aces fans and teammates(AP Photo/John Locher)LAPRESSE
Kate Martin, the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout, has quickly become a fan favorite for the Las Vegas Aces. Selected 18th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Martin’s impact on her new team is already making headlines.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon has been vocal about Martin’s contributions. “She’s got the spirit of a champion, and it shows,” Hammon said on Friday. “Her energy is contagious.”

Martin’s influence was on full display during a recent practice, where a video of her draining a half-court shot went viral on the Aces’ official social media account. The clip, captioned “MONEY MARTIN!!,” drew an outpouring of support from fans.

“She’s gonna be a star,” one fan commented. “Kate out here living her best life and I love that for her. #A4L #ALLINLV,” wrote another.

Martin’s prowess earned her playing time against her former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark when their teams faced off for the first time in the WNBA.

Iowa legends clash in the WNBA

Saturday’s game saw former Iowa Hawkeyes stars Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin face each other as WNBA opponents. Clark, drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever, and Martin, now with the Aces, rekindled their college rivalry in a highly anticipated matchup.

Despite Martin’s limited eight minutes on the court, the game was closely watched for the showdown between the two friends. Clark’s Fever, hoping to build momentum after a recent win, faced a tough challenge against the back-to-back defending champion Aces.

The Las Vegas Aces, led by 2023 WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson, overpowered the Fever with a 99-80 victory at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Fever, grappling with a five-game losing streak, struggled against the Aces, who are off to a strong 3-1 start in their quest for a third consecutive WNBA title, a feat not achieved since the Houston Comets era.