Kate Martin’s WNBA journey has taken another unexpected turn, and the latest chapter has left plenty of basketball fans wondering what comes next for the former Iowa standout.
After beginning the 2026 season with the Los Angeles Sparks, Martin suddenly found herself looking for another opportunity late in August. The Sparks waived her after she had appeared in 17 games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per contest. For a player who had already experienced several changes during her young professional career, it was another difficult moment.
Then came the news that changed everything.
The Chicago Sky signed Martin to a developmental contract on September 2, giving her another opportunity to remain in the WNBA. The move also brought her back under the guidance of Tyler Marsh, who had previously worked with Martin during her time with the Golden State Valkyries.
For Martin and the fans who have followed her since her Iowa days, the move represented another chance to prove that she still belongs on a WNBA roster.
But that is where the story became complicated.
Martin joined Chicago with only a handful of regular-season games remaining. The Sky had also been dealing with injuries among their guards, which appeared to create an opportunity for the former Hawkeye. Yet when Chicago returned from the league’s FIBA break, Martin was not immediately activated.
She was ruled out for the September 17 matchup against the Washington Mystics, despite Chicago having several players dealing with availability issues. She was then ruled out again against the Atlanta Dream two days later.
That development naturally raised questions.
Why sign Martin at that point in the season if she would not immediately see the floor? Was Chicago looking at her primarily as a developmental piece, or was the organization genuinely considering her for a larger role?
Those questions became even more interesting because of the limited number of developmental activations available to teams.
Chicago already had another developmental player, Morgan Maly, and the Sky had to carefully manage those opportunities during the final stretch of the season. That meant Martin’s path onto the court was not necessarily as simple as waiting for an open roster spot.
Still, there was an encouraging sign for Martin.
Before Chicago’s September 22 game against the Toronto Tempo, Marsh revealed that Martin would finally be active. After watching from the sidelines during her first two opportunities with the Sky, she was set to receive another chance to show what she could contribute.
That announcement is significant because Martin has already demonstrated that she can adapt to different situations throughout her professional career.
She entered the WNBA after five seasons at Iowa, where she became an important part of teams that reached consecutive national championship games. The Las Vegas Aces selected her with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and she later became part of the Golden State Valkyries through the expansion draft.
Her professional journey has been anything but straightforward.
From Las Vegas to Golden State, then Los Angeles and now Chicago, Martin has had to repeatedly adjust to new teammates, coaches, systems and expectations. The latest move is simply another chapter in that story.
For fans, however, one question remains especially important: what does Chicago actually see in Kate Martin?
Marsh has already spoken positively about her toughness and selfless approach, saying Martin fits the type of player the Sky want around their team.
Now, with the season nearing its conclusion, the opportunity is finally in front of her.
Martin cannot control how many minutes she receives or what Chicago ultimately decides about her future. What she can control is what happens when her number is called.
And after everything she has experienced this season, that opportunity could be one of the most important moments of her WNBA journey.
