Iowa Hawkeyes fans across the country tuned into the WNBA Draft on Monday night to see Caitlin Clark get selected. But they were also treated to an unexpected treat, as one of her teammates also unexpectedly heard her name called.
Iowa guard Kate Martin impressed throughout the NCAA Tournament, averaging 14 points in Iowa’s six tournament games. Her biggest performance came against LSU, scoring 21 points to help the Hawkeyes avenge their National Championship loss a season ago.
Still, Martin wasn’t considered by most to be a real prospect for the WNBA. According to ESPN’s prospect ranking for the WNBA Draft, she was ranked as the 101st-best player on the draft board.
She was in attendance at the draft not as a prospect in the eyes of most, but to support her teammate Clark and watch her get drafted, which she of course did with the No. 1 pick.
with the first pick…
Caitlin Clark, guard, University of Iowa. pic.twitter.com/8gUOkK15tF
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 15, 2024
It was a good thing that she ended up coming to the event. Because shockingly, she heard her name called in the second round, selected with the 18th overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces.
Iowa guard Kate Martin said she came to the WNBA draft to support Caitlin Clark but was hoping to get her name called.
She ended up getting drafted by the Aces 😱
What a moment ❤️
(via @AliyahFun) pic.twitter.com/AHzxm69MLN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 16, 2024
ESPN’s Holly Rowe interviewed Martin shortly after she got drafted.
“Oh man, there are a lot of emotions,” Martin said. “I was here to support Caitlin. But you know, I was hoping to hear my name called. All I wanted was an opportunity and I got it so I’m just really excited.”
Kate Martin came to the #WNBADraft to support her Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark but ended up getting drafted by the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces!👏#WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/0P4XIjuZj4
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 16, 2024
Clark took to social media to share her excitement for her teammate’s unexpected moment.
“KATE. MARTIN. LFGGGGG,” tweeted Clark.
KATE. MARTIN. LFGGGGG😎😎🤍🤍
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 16, 2024
It’s great to see that Martin ended up getting recognition for all she contributed to Iowa’s success this past season.
Clark was obviously the driving force in the Hawkeyes reaching the National Championship. But the team couldn’t have made it as far as they did without Clark getting some help. Martin provided exactly that, and now she will get a chance at a WNBA career.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.