A Homecoming for Kate Martin
On September 2, 2024, the Chicago Sky announced the signing of former Iowa basketball standout Kate Martin to a player development contract, marking her return to the state where her collegiate career began.
Martin’s journey to the Sky follows a series of roster moves that saw her waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on August 29, after a brief stint that yielded averages of 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds per game over 17 appearances.
In July 2024, the Sparks promoted Martin to a standard WNBA contract, making her the first player in franchise history to transition from a developmental agreement to a full‑scale contract, a milestone that underscored her rapid ascent.
Now back in Chicago, Martin is slated to make her Sky debut on September 17 against the Washington Mystics, a game that will also feature the team’s final regular‑season showdown on September 24, also versus Washington.
The Sky, currently sitting at 15‑25, have been navigating injuries and roster reshuffles throughout the season, and the addition of Martin provides depth as the team prepares for the four remaining games after the FIBA World Cup break.
Under WNBA rules, development players may appear in up to 12 regular‑season contests before being converted to a standard contract, a window that Martin will utilize before potentially earning a permanent spot on the roster.
Beyond the WNBA season, Martin will continue her career in the 3‑on‑3 Unrivaled Basketball league in 2027, marking her third season in the innovative format.