Kate Martin’s WNBA journey has taken another painful turn, and the timing of the latest development has made the situation even harder for fans to process.
The former Iowa standout was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, August 29, bringing an abrupt end to her short spell in Los Angeles. It was the second time Martin had been waived by a WNBA team during the 2026 season, following Golden State’s decision earlier in the year.
For a player who had already become a fan favorite because of her toughness, versatility and team-first attitude, the latest move was understandably difficult to watch.
Martin joined the Sparks in May on a player-development contract after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries. She eventually earned a standard contract in July, becoming the first player in Sparks history to make that transition from the development pool to the active roster.
That promotion appeared to give Martin a fresh opportunity. Instead, her playing time remained limited, and she ultimately appeared in only 17 games for Los Angeles. During those appearances, she averaged 2.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range.
Those numbers do not tell the entire story, though.
Martin has long been valued for the things that do not always show up in a box score. Her basketball IQ, defensive effort, willingness to make the extra pass and ability to play multiple roles helped make her popular with teammates and supporters.
That is why the Sparks’ decision caught so many people off guard.
Head coach Lynne Roberts later addressed the situation and made it clear that the move was not simply about Martin failing to impress the coaching staff. Roberts praised Martin personally, describing her as an exceptional teammate and someone she enjoyed coaching. The coach explained that the Sparks were looking closely at available minutes, particularly with veterans on the roster and younger players the organization wanted to evaluate.
In other words, the decision appears to have been driven more by roster circumstances than a lack of respect for Martin.
That distinction matters.
Martin’s supporters have spent much of the season wondering what she could do with a larger and more consistent opportunity. Her limited role in Los Angeles made it difficult to provide a definitive answer.
The timing of the waiver also created an unusual twist. On the same day the Sparks moved on from Martin, Unrivaled announced that she would return for its third season on a multi-year agreement. So while her WNBA future suddenly became uncertain, Martin already had another major basketball opportunity waiting for her.
That gives the former Hawkeye something important: a chance to keep competing, develop her game and remain visible to WNBA teams.
Martin’s professional career has already shown that she can handle unexpected changes. Selected No. 18 overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she made an immediate impression as a rookie before being selected by Golden State in the expansion draft. With the Valkyries in 2025, she averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds and helped the expansion franchise reach the playoffs.
Her connection to Iowa also continues to make her one of the most recognizable players among Hawkeye fans. Martin finished her college career alongside Caitlin Clark and helped Iowa reach consecutive national championship games. She became the first women’s basketball player in program history to reach 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals and 60 blocks.
Now, the question is what comes next.
Martin’s latest setback is brutal, but it does not necessarily mean the end of her WNBA story. The league’s roster landscape can change quickly, especially as teams deal with injuries, contracts and changing priorities.
For now, Martin has another platform in Unrivaled and plenty of motivation to prove that she still belongs at the highest level.
The Sparks chapter may have closed suddenly, but Kate Martin’s story is far from finished. And if another WNBA team gives her the opportunity fans have been asking for, this latest disappointment could eventually become another turning point in a career that has already taken several unexpected directions.
