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After being cut by Golden State prior to the season and subsequently signing a player development contract with Los Angeles, Martin made her first trip back to the Bay Area on Monday night as the Sparks clashed with the Valkyries from the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif.
The former Hawkeyes star discussed what it was like to return to Golden State in pregame with CBS Sports Bay Area's Matt Lively.
"Good to see familiar faces. Good to see some of my former teammates and spend some time with them while I've been here. I love this place, and so it's good to be back.
"I've tried to visualize it a little bit, just so when I get out there, I'm a little prepared. I'm excited. I know they welcomed other players warmly, of course. I wouldn't expect anything else from this crowd, but I'm just excited to see everybody and give my wave and say thank you to all of them," Martin said.
Lively asked if Martin had anything to say to the fans who supported her during the franchise's inaugural season last year.
"Thank you for embracing me. Thank you for the last year and for what they're doing for women's basketball in general. It's a lot bigger than just supporting the Valkyries. It's really impressive to see what they're doing to uplift women's basketball and just women's sports in general in this area. And it's super impressive, and it's just really good for our game."
As a tribute to Martin's time with Golden State, the Valkyries shared a touching video and gave her a warm welcome back to Chase Center before the game.
As for the game itself, Martin recorded three points on 1-for-1 from the floor, while also posting three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes played during Los Angeles' 78-58 loss against Golden State.
It's also important to note that Monday's game marks the eighth contest that Martin has been activated for this season, as the terms of the Player Development Contract only allow her to be activated for a maximum of 12 games unless Los Angeles signs her to a standard player contract.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Kate Martin comments on making return to Golden State with Sparks
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The former Hawkeyes star discussed what it was like to return to Golden State in pregame with CBS Sports Bay Area's Matt Lively.
"Good to see familiar faces. Good to see some of my former teammates and spend some time with them while I've been here. I love this place, and so it's good to be back.
"I've tried to visualize it a little bit, just so when I get out there, I'm a little prepared. I'm excited. I know they welcomed other players warmly, of course. I wouldn't expect anything else from this crowd, but I'm just excited to see everybody and give my wave and say thank you to all of them," Martin said.
Kate Martin is back at Ballhalla as she makes her return with the LA Sparks. I caught up with her before she takes on the Valkyries. pic.twitter.com/dHpsT7fBGV
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) June 16, 2026
Lively asked if Martin had anything to say to the fans who supported her during the franchise's inaugural season last year.
"Thank you for embracing me. Thank you for the last year and for what they're doing for women's basketball in general. It's a lot bigger than just supporting the Valkyries. It's really impressive to see what they're doing to uplift women's basketball and just women's sports in general in this area. And it's super impressive, and it's just really good for our game."
As a tribute to Martin's time with Golden State, the Valkyries shared a touching video and gave her a warm welcome back to Chase Center before the game.
As for the game itself, Martin recorded three points on 1-for-1 from the floor, while also posting three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes played during Los Angeles' 78-58 loss against Golden State.
It's also important to note that Monday's game marks the eighth contest that Martin has been activated for this season, as the terms of the Player Development Contract only allow her to be activated for a maximum of 12 games unless Los Angeles signs her to a standard player contract.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Kate Martin comments on making return to Golden State with Sparks
Continue reading...