Kate Martin Gets Standing Ovation In Her Sparks Debut

The Golden State Valkyries waived beloved guard Kate Martin on May 7, a move that surprised most people, if not everyone, in WNBA circles.

Last Sunday, Martin signed a player development contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.

“WNBA teams can carry two developmental roster spots, creating in-house training pipelines outside the salary cap,” the Sparks relayed in their official release. “These players practice, receive stipends/benefits, and can be activated for up to 12 games, aiding player development and team depth.”

Player development contracts are new this season, as it was part of the historic new collective bargaining agreement ratified on March 24.

Sparks fans were pleasantly surprised when Martin was already activated for the Sparks’ third game of the season.

The Sparks hosted the Toronto Tempo at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night, and Martin made her official Sparks debut when she checked in for All-Star guard Kelsey Plum in the second quarter. According to the ION broadcast, Martin received a standing ovation:

Martin only logged one rebound in six minutes, but it was encouraging to see her activated so soon after arriving in Los Angeles. Plus, the whole point of a player development contract is to develop in the system outside of game day.

The Sparks beat the Tempo 99-95 for their first win of the young WNBA season.

Martin entered the WNBA as a second-round pick of the Las Vegas Aces. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star was taken under four-time MVP A’ja Wilson’s wing as a rookie. The Valkyries selected Martin in the WNBA Expansion Draft in December 2024, and she posted career highs last season as a valuable bench player.

After Martin signed with the Sparks, she met with reporters and got visibly emotional when discussing the Valkyries’ decision to waive her.

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

That wound will linger, but receiving such a warm welcome in her new home must have helped begin the healing process.

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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM.