Edwardsville graduate Kate Martin signs development deal with Sparks

Kate Martin, an Illinois native and former standout at the University of Iowa, has signed a player development contract with the Los Angeles Sparks. The signing comes shortly after Martin was waived by the Golden State Valkyries on May 7, 2026.

The move brings Martin to the Sparks organization as part of a specific roster mechanism designed to foster growth for professional athletes. Under WNBA regulations, teams are permitted to carry two developmental roster spots. These positions function as in-house training pipelines that exist outside of the standard salary cap, allowing teams to maintain depth and develop talent without impacting their primary financial constraints.

Players signed to these development contracts receive stipends and benefits while practicing with the team. While they are not permanent fixtures on the active roster, they can be activated for up to 12 games, providing a pathway to full-time rotation play.

Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley highlighted Martin’s versatility and competitive nature as primary reasons for the signing.

“Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” Pebley said. “She’s confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate. We’re eager to watch Kate develop within our system.”

Raegan Pebley, Sparks General Manager

Martin’s professional journey began in 2024 when she was selected by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round of the WNBA Draft, taken 18th overall. During her first two seasons in the league, she appeared in 76 games, earning six starts. Her rookie campaign was highlighted by strong efficiency from the perimeter and the charity stripe, where she shot 35.5% from three-point range and 91.7% from the free-throw line.

Prior to the start of the 2025 season, Martin was claimed by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft. During her tenure with the Valkyries, she averaged 6.2 points per game before her release on May 7, 2026.

Collegiate and High School Background

Before entering the professional ranks, Martin established herself as one of the most decorated players in the history of the University of Iowa women’s basketball program. As a key contributor for the Hawkeyes, she led the team to back-to-back national championship runner-up finishes.

Martin achieved a rare statistical milestone at Iowa, becoming the first player in the program’s history to record at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks over the course of a career.

Her success at the collegiate level followed a strong foundation in her home state. Martin is a 2018 graduate of Edwardsville High School in Illinois, where she first began her trajectory toward professional basketball.

The Los Angeles Sparks now integrate Martin into their system as they look to utilize the development pool to increase their roster flexibility and shooting capabilities.