Kate Martin’s WNBA journey has taken another unexpected turn, but the latest move could provide the former Iowa standout with something she has been missing throughout a turbulent 2026 season: a sense of home.
Martin is heading to the Chicago Sky after the Los Angeles Sparks waived her, giving the Iowa fan favorite another opportunity to establish herself before the season reaches its final stretch. The move is particularly meaningful because Martin is an Evansville, Illinois, native, meaning her next chapter will take her much closer to where her basketball story began.
The 2024 WNBA draft class has already produced plenty of memorable stories, and Martin has experienced more twists than most. She entered the league alongside former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark after being selected by the Las Vegas Aces. Martin quickly earned a reputation as a dependable teammate and valuable role player, helping her build a strong following among Iowa supporters.
Her path changed when the Golden State Valkyries selected her during the expansion draft. However, an injury before the 2026 season disrupted her plans and ultimately contributed to Golden State moving on from her. Martin then received an opportunity with the Sparks, initially joining Los Angeles on a developmental contract before earning a standard roster deal.
That opportunity proved short-lived.
Now, Martin has landed with Chicago on another developmental contract. The Sky move gives her a fresh environment and reunites her with Tyler Marsh, who previously worked on the Golden State coaching staff. That familiarity could make the transition easier for Martin as she looks to regain her footing and prove that she still has plenty to offer at the professional level.
For Chicago, the timing of the move also makes sense.
The Sky have endured a difficult season and are looking toward the future rather than competing for a playoff position. The team has also lost veteran guard Skylar Diggins for the remainder of the season after she aggravated a knee problem, leaving Chicago with another reason to evaluate its options in the backcourt.
Martin could benefit from that situation.
Although there is no guarantee that she will immediately receive significant playing time, the remaining schedule gives the organization a chance to see how she fits with the roster. For Martin, even a limited opportunity could be important. Every practice, possession and minute on the floor represents another chance to show a WNBA team that she belongs.
Her greatest value may not always appear in the box score. Martin has long been respected for her willingness to do the less glamorous work, including defending, moving the ball, making smart decisions and supporting teammates. Those qualities helped make her so popular during her Iowa career, and they remain useful traits for a team trying to build a stronger culture.
That opportunity could matter more than it appears. Players in Martin’s position need only one opening to change the direction of a season. If she can earn trust, provide energy and make an impact whenever her number is called, Chicago may discover that a face can become a piece of its rebuilding plans.
Chicago could therefore view Martin as more than a short-term addition.
With the Sky expected to make decisions about their roster after the season, Martin has an opportunity to turn a late-season signing into something more permanent. A strong showing could give the organization a reason to consider bringing her back for 2027.
For Iowa fans, the possibility is especially intriguing. Martin has maintained a special connection with Hawkeye supporters since leaving college, and Chicago’s proximity to her home state could make it easier for those fans to follow her next chapter in person.
After moving from Las Vegas to Golden State, then Los Angeles and now Chicago, Martin has experienced an unusually busy professional journey. Each stop has presented a different challenge, but the latest destination may offer the combination of familiarity, opportunity and stability she needs.
The next few games could determine whether Chicago becomes another brief stop or the place where Martin finally finds a longer-term home in the WNBA. Either way, her arrival gives the Sky another player worth watching and gives her supporters another reason to keep believing in what comes next.
