Kate Martin is not taking her journey with the Aces for granted

brooklyn — Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin was all smiles for a crowd of reporters before Game 2 between the Liberty and the Aces. Maybe she's just used to the attention. Martin — hasn't played a minute in a game yet. WNBA Postseason — Far more often than the average WNBA player who isn't even in his team's playoff rotation, he's stopped for photos by fans and answered questions from the media far more often.

Because it's Martin do not have Your average newbie. The 6-foot security guard sold 4th place in number of jerseys She's the best of any WNBA player this season, and no matter what arena she's in, there's an unmistakable crowd cheer when she checks into a game.

famous martin I didn't know she would be drafted into the military. When she came to WNBA draft night, she cheered on her Iowa teammate, Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick. But the next thing she knew, she It was on stage with commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was drafted 18th overall by the Aces. That moment came just two weeks after he ended his stellar basketball career at the University of Iowa.

In her first season in the WNBA, she played in 34 games and averaged 2.6 points in 11.5 minutes. Throughout the year, Martin's teammates praised her all-around play and winning influence as she adjusted to professional life.

“Kate Martin is amazing. Kate Martin is a great sponge because she picks things up quickly.” Plum said In May. “I think Becky gave her Kate the nickname 'Money' Martin, and I think it's stuck.”

“And when I say 'money,' it's not just about scoring or anything, it's about her being in the right place at the right time. She just makes people better. That's what Becky That's something that we value, that our coaching staff values, and that's why she's going to be a great addition to our team.”

Martin's on-court role earlier this year It was something consequential. While Chelsea Gray missed the first 12 games of the regular season and was still recovering from a foot injury sustained in the Finals, the Iowa State alum took an unexpected role in the rotation. He provided defensive versatility and showed a knack for solid makeup. correct play.

One month after averaging 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and shooting 50.7 percent from the field in his final college season, Martin was set to play professional basketball, helping lead the University of Iowa to the NCAA Championship Game. Not only was he asked, he was asked to become a professional basketball player. One of the most-watched teams in the W, defending their second title.

“This past year has been a whirlwind,” Martin said, standing courtside at Barclays Center. “I’m so grateful to be here right now.”

Although Martin's minutes decreased in the second half of the season with Gray back in the rotation, she still remains an important member of the Aces' locker room, and although it's a different role than she was used to at Iowa, she has Absorbing.

“I actually feel like I've taken a backseat as a vocal leader a little bit this year,” Martin said. “I found my niche. I found a way to get my teammates excited and be able to tell them individually when I saw something, or tell them if they did something really well. 'What? That was amazing.''

In the meantime, she's learning from far more experienced players like 37-year-old Alisha Clarke and 31-year-old Chelsea Gray. Six of her Ace teammates competed at the Paris Olympics. Most of them have won multiple WNBA championships.

So while at Iowa, Martin was often one of the loudest voices in the locker room, in Las Vegas he chose not to speak out to the entire group in much the same way.

“I’m new,” Martin said with a smile. “I really don't know a lot. This is my first year. I'm learning and being a sponge and trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible. And in the future I'm going to play that role.” I think you can.”

Martin's Aces face the New York Liberty in the WNBA semifinals in an 0-2 hole and are on the brink of elimination. But Martin is soaking up the experience of competing for a WNBA title.

“Although I've never competed for a WNBA championship, I've had the opportunity to compete for a championship at every level I've played, so it's great to be in the playoffs again. It's a great 'controversy,''' Martin said.

This season, there has been constant outside noise for the team and the league as a whole. But that's nothing new for Martin, whose college teams filled arenas and regularly broke viewership records. That made the transition easier for her and for Clark, who dealt with his fair share of noise during his rookie season at Indiana.

“Our attention and fan attention was at an all-time high in Iowa the last few years. It was the most-watched game and we were a part of many of them,” Martin said, noting that celebrities were playing for the Hawkeyes. He added that he frequently attends games.

“I'm still in awe every time I see Steph Curry sitting courtside or whenever I see LeBron James sitting courtside. I'm like, that's so cool. “I think so,” Martin said. “But I'm glad I got to experience that while I was in college, because it was a smooth transition. We learned about the attention we received at Iowa and how to deal with it, and we talked about it, but it was a learning experience. Yes, there is a learning curve.”

So what's next for Kate Martin?

First, the Aces will fight for survival in a semifinal series against the New York Liberty in Game 3 on Friday night in Las Vegas. Then comes the basketball offseason, which Martin has been somewhat vague about — she told reporters in August. I just haven't shared it yet. ”

For a long time, Martin's hope was to eventually become a basketball coach, but now he's not even sure that's what he wants.

A successful rookie season in the WNBA showed her the possibility of a different future.

“I just want to play basketball for as long as I can.”