Three days after the Golden State Valkyries waived Kate Martin, the Los Angeles Sparks signed the third-year guard to a developmental deal, the team announced on Sunday.
“Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” said Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley. “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.”
The WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement will allow Martin to practice and travel with the team and be part of the active roster for 12 games. Martin will receive a weekly $750 stipend along with a pro-rated minimum salary of $6,000.
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WNBA teams are allowed to have two developmental roster spots. For the Sparks, those two players are Martin and wing Laura Ziegler.
Before her WNBA career, Martin was part of the Iowa women’s basketball team that made back-to-back national championship appearances. She was the first player in Iowa program history to record 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals and 60 blocks in her career.
Martin went on to get drafted by the Las Vegas Ace with the No. 18 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She was actually sitting in the audience to support her former teammate and two-time WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark get drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever.
Martin said she was not expecting to hear her name called in the draft.
Martin played her entire rookie season with the Aces in 2024. Then, the Valkyries selected her in the 2025 expansion draft. She averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and an assist across 42 games last season with Golden State.
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The Valkyries ultimately waived Martin on Thursday before releasing their official 13-player roster for 2026.
Now, Martin will join the third WNBA organization of her career and look to earn a full-time roster spot with the Sparks.
Photo Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The post Sparks Sign Kate Martin to Developmental Deal After Valkyries Waiver appeared first on LA Sports Report.
