A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, and most recently, Caitlin Clark. What do these iconic names have in common? Well, for one, all these have made an illustrious career in college basketball before stepping onto the professional stage. But, does the Aces No.20 Kate Martin belong in the same league? The question does keep the rookie awake at night.

To find the answer, the 24-year-old joined the team’s veteran Alysha Clark in the informative series “In The Paint With the Las Vegas Aces.” Interacting about her range of experiences in her debut year, Martin opened up about the one insecurity troubling her. She went on and said, “I didn’t have the college career that like a lot of these WNBA players have had. So, it’s like, ‘do I really belong here?’ It’s this like, ‘Am I good enough?'”

However, if we closely look at her contributions to Iowa, she does in a way justify her position with the Aces. As it turns out, Kate Martin is the first Iowa women’s basketball player to register over 900+ points, and 500+ rebounds along with 400+ assists, 120+ steals, and 60+ blocks. On top of that, after Caitlin Clark and Sam Logic, she is the only Hawkeye to amass 1,200+ points, 700+ rebounds, and 450+ assists.

Perhaps, this is why her current teammate and mentor Alysha Clark advised her to trust the process. Citing her example, she said, “I always constantly compared myself to…’ Okay how is this three-player doing? I can’t do that. It was until my 7th year that I was like ‘no I do belong here. I can play at this level. I am good enough. What I offer is valuable.'”

Still, if we do look at Kate Martin’s contributions to the 2x consecutive champions, she has done just fine.

Busting Kate Martin’s self-doubt

Although not a popular name when we talk about the top rookies in the league, the Iowa alum has made some remarkable buckets for her WNBA team. In fact, she is doing great as a pick-and-pop player who you can usually find standing at the wing to hit a three. Currently, she is averaging 3.2 points in 13 minutes per game. Kate Martin also has a career-high of 13 points in the Commissioner’s Cup loss to the LA Sparks.

Moreover, Becky Hammon trusted the rookie to start that game as well, marking it as her very first. As for her popularity, Kate Martin became the third rookie to have sold out jerseys. She joined her former teammate Caitlin Clark and LSU rival Angel Reese as the only rookies for the mark. Additionally, we have seen the Aces fans go berserk over the guard’s appearance time and again.

Certainly, Kate Martin has found a home in the back-to-back champions. Not only do the fans love her, but her veterans also adore her, which is quite clear with the Hello Kitty bag and the ongoing pranks in the squad. It is also interesting how the 17th overall pick from 2010 is helping the 18th overall pick this year to find her way through the league’s new environment.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.