Basketball fans knew they would hear one Hawkeye name at the 2024 WNBA Draft: No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark. But they might not have expected her Iowa teammate Kate Martin to get drafted, too.
Martin sat not with the draft prospects but in the stands at the Brooklyn Academy of Music when she heard her name called in the second round. She was in attendance with Gabbie Marshall and Jada Gyamfi to support their Iowa teammate, who was a shoo-in to go first overall to the Fever.
After completing her fifth season with the Hawkeyes, Martin was eligible for the draft, but few mock drafts had her coming off the board before the third round — if at all.
With her surprise selection, that makes two Iowa stars bound for the WNBA. And while NCAA fanbases came out in force Monday night to support their draftees, Martin's selection seemed to unite everyone, Hawkeye fan or not.
MORE: Complete list of 2024 WNBA Draft picks
Which WNBA team drafted Kate Martin?
Martin attended WNBA Draft as a spectator, a fan and a friend, mostly. But she also was hoping to hear her name called on stage, though she was not one of the 15 top prospects officially invited.
So when the two-time defending champion Aces called her name with the No. 18 pick, Martin received quite the shock.
Martin joins Syracuse guard Dyashia Fair, Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Kitley and Jackson State guard Angel Jackson as the Aces' four draftees this year. They join some of the biggest names in the league in Las Vegas in A'ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray.
KATE MARTIN TO THE ACES!!!! #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/1C55qt0mVY
— Aliyah Funschelle (@AliyahFun) April 16, 2024
It won't be easy for the new faces to grab a roster spot, though. The Aces now have 18 players on their camp roster (not including any additional signings) and will need to cut that number down to 12 by opening day. Martin will be competing against her fellow rookies and vets for a spot.
This season, every team has a salary cap of $1,463,200. The big names on the Aces' roster have big contracts to go with them, and that also means less roster space. Las Vegas rostered just 11 players last season as opposed to 12 because the team had just $500 remaining in cap space.
While Martin does have a shot, it will be extra hard for rookies to make the cut for the Aces.
MORE: WNBA roster squeeze, explained
Why did Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall attend 2024 WNBA Draft?
Every year, top prospects are invited to attend the WNBA Draft in person. But it's not unusual to see more players in the stands.
Martin, Marshall and Gyamfi were in New York to celebrate Clark's No. 1 overall selection. UConn had some teammates in the stands, too, with Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd cheering and recording Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl throughout the night.
No, Martin, Marshall and Gyamfi didn't get to walk the orange carpet, talk to interviewers or sit at the front tables like the official invitees. But that didn't mean they couldn't attend in support of their teammate. They sat in the stands of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Martin got to experience her own dream coming true.
The trio also joined Clark on the rest of her New York journey, standing behind her during the closing scenes of Saturday Night Live. What a weekend for the Midwesterners.
Kate Martin 2024 WNBA Draft reactions
Martin's selection may have come as a surprise to her, but it wasn't a shock to her friends and supporters. The No. 18 overall pick received immediate congratulations online, from former and future teammates alike.
Everyone is rooting for the former Hawkeye.
MORE: A'ja Wilson, Indiana Fever react to No. 1 WNBA Draft pick Caitlin Clark
KATE. MARTIN. LFGGGGG😎😎🤍🤍
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 16, 2024
Welcome @kate_martin22 !!! I have an outfit for youuuu 🤭
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 16, 2024
KATE MARTIN IS MY TEAMMATE AGAIN!!!! ❤️ LETSSS GOOO @LVAces
— Megan Gustafson (@GustafsonMeg10) April 16, 2024
