The 2024 WNBA rookie class is being hailed as one of the most promising in years, with many predicting that this group of newcomers will usher in a new era for the league. Among these rookies, Kate Martin, a sharpshooter from Iowa, has quickly made her presence felt as a role player for the Las Vegas Aces. Despite being a second-round pick, Martin has defied expectations and carved out a niche for herself on a team loaded with talent.
When the Las Vegas Aces selected Kate Martin in the second round of the WNBA draft, there were no guarantees she would make the final roster, let alone find success at the professional level. The odds were against her, as she was one of just four second-round picks to secure a spot on a WNBA team. However, Martin’s exceptional off-ball offensive skills have allowed her to seamlessly transition to the professional game and make an impact on an Aces roster that, while stacked, has struggled to meet its full potential this season.
The hallmark of Kate Martin’s game has always been her shooting ability. During her final two college seasons, Kate Martin shot an impressive 39% from beyond the arc, a skill that has translated effectively to the WNBA. In her rookie season, Martin has continued to shoot at a high level, hitting 39.6% of her three-point attempts. While she only averages 12.6 minutes per game, she makes the most of her time on the court, attempting 5.8 threes per 36 possessions—a respectable number that highlights her willingness to contribute offensively.
kate martin slots in as a solid complementary shooter — 39.6% on 8.1 3pa/100, comfortable pulling off of light movement and from well behind the line pic.twitter.com/2yL1p62pib
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) August 23, 2024
What sets Kate Martin apart is not just her shooting accuracy but also her understanding of spacing and her ability to get her shot off quickly. Whether she’s catching and shooting or sprinting into threes off movement, Martin has a knack for finding the open spot on the floor and making defenses pay. Her quick release and innate feel for where to position herself on the court allow her to slip through defensive cracks and knock down shots with regularity.
While Kate Martin may never develop into an on-ball creator due to her limited ball-handling skills and lack of quickness, she excels as a cutter and off-ball mover. She’s more than capable of putting the ball on the floor when necessary, and her quick decision-making helps keep the offense flowing. Players like Martin, who can maintain offensive momentum without dominating the ball, are invaluable to any team.
One of the key reasons for Martin’s smooth transition to the WNBA has been her experience playing alongside Caitlin Clark at Iowa. Clark, a dominant offensive force, often took on the primary scoring and playmaking responsibilities, allowing Martin to thrive in a complementary role. This experience has been crucial in preparing Martin for her role with the Aces, where she plays alongside high-usage players like A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
Many college stars struggle to adjust to the professional game, where they must scale back their role and contribute without the ball in their hands as much. For Martin, however, this has been a natural progression. Her confidence in her ability to contribute without dominating the ball has been evident from the start, and it has earned her early playing time in her rookie season.
While there were concerns about how Martin’s defense would translate to the more athletic and fast-paced WNBA, she has managed to hold her own on that end of the floor. As an off-ball defender, Martin has excelled, using her basketball IQ to anticipate plays and rotate effectively to cover the back line. Her awareness and positioning are well above the level of most rookies, allowing her to be a reliable team defender despite some physical limitations.
Martin’s biggest defensive challenge comes when she’s matched up against quicker guards. Her lateral quickness is somewhat limited, making it difficult for her to stay in front of speedier opponents. However, she has shown some promise guarding taller players, using her strength and low center of gravity to hold her ground in the post, especially when she has help from her teammates.
As with any rookie, there are no guarantees that Martin will remain a fixture in the Aces’ rotation long-term. Over the past few games, her playing time has decreased, with her minutes dipping below four per contest. This is the harsh reality of the WNBA, a league with more talent than available roster spots, making it challenging for even the most promising players to secure a lasting role.
Despite this, Martin has already become something of a beloved figure among Aces fans and her teammates. Her positive presence in the locker room, coupled with her shooting prowess, will likely help her stick around, even if her role fluctuates. Shooting, especially at the high level Martin has demonstrated, will never go out of style in professional basketball, and that skill alone could ensure her a long career in the WNBA.
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