Kate Martin is getting another chance to secure her spot in the WNBA. After the Golden State Valkyries cut her from the roster ahead of the new season, the Los Angeles Sparks grabbed the opportunity to sign her to a developmental contract.

But before starting her new journey, Martin addressed the emotional toll of her recent release, addressing what she had been through in the past couple of days in an X video shared by Underdog WNBA.

“It was not easy at all … obviously it’s a business decision. That’s what professional sports is. It’s a business, and I just had to do what was best for me and my career. I just thought this was the best decision for me, and I’m very, very excited to be here,” Martin told the media.

Being cut from a team is surely difficult, but Martin is pumped to perform for the Sparks, vowing to play her best basketball yet.

“I’m definitely gonna give it my all. That process wasn’t easy and now I feel like I can relate to a lot more people on a level that maybe I never wanted to be able to relate on. But it’s only gonna help me as a leader and as a person,” the 25-year-old added.

According to the new WNBA CBA, each team is provided with two spots in addition to the standard 12 in the roster for developmental purposes.

Martin will be limited to only 12 games during the regular season, and her contract does not count against the salary cap.

Martin appeared in 42 games in the Valkyries' first season in the league, starting four of them. She averaged a career-best 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 31 percent from beyond the arc.

Before her sophomore year, the Las Vegas Aces selected her as the No. 18 pick in Round 2 of the 2024 WNBA Draft. She shot 35.5% from the three-point line as a rookie, one of the reasons Sparks HC Lynne Roberts is so high on her.

Lynne Roberts All Praise for Kate Martin

Roberts has been a fan of Martin for a long time, and she addressed her feelings about the guard's arrival to the media before the Sparks' matchup against the Aces on Sunday.

“That’s a great get for us. Thrilled how that worked out,” Roberts said of Martin. “I think it’s a great add. I think this gives her a chance in the developmental spot to just settle and pour into player development. Her work ethic is unbelievable.”

Apart from Roberts, Martin's former HC, Becky Hammon, also shared her view on the 25-year-old taking her talents to Los Angeles.

“Kate’s great. She’s great in the locker room, a great teammate,” Hammon said pregame. “The kid is gonna land on her feet wherever she goes.”

With support from her coaches, Martin begins her tenure in Los Angeles looking to prove she belongs.

Do you think Kate Martin will be a valuable addition to the Los Angeles Sparks roster this season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Surjo Ray