Done Deal: Kate Martin Has Signed Four Year Contract With…………..read more.
The Las Vegas Aces, who have dominated the WNBA for the past two seasons, are set to resume their league campaign today against the New York Liberty after a month-long Olympic break. With stars like A’ja Wilson driving their quest for a three-peat, attention also turns to rookie Kate Martin. Martin suffered an injury last month, raising concerns about her readiness for the season’s restart. However, recent updates from head coach Becky Hammon have clarified the situation.
According to a tweet from an Aces reporter, Becky Hammon provided an update on Kate Martin’s status before the game against the Liberty. The tweet reported, “Becky Hammon just said in her pregame news conference that Kate Martin looks good and doesn’t have any restrictions. The process was just giving her rest like the rest of the team.” The 24-year-old rookie was also spotted participating in team practices earlier.
Martin has been a solid contributor for the Aces, though primarily as a bench player. She averages 14 minutes per game, contributing around 3.4 points and 1.1 assists. With the team returning from the Olympic break, it will be interesting to see how much playing time Martin receives, especially since some of the Aces’ star players may need rest after their international duties. This could be a significant opportunity for Martin to make a mark.
The Aces are currently fifth in the standings, and head coach Becky Hammon must manage her players carefully to aim for a third consecutive WNBA title. As Sheryl Swoopes, a WNBA legend, pointed out, the Aces had four players in the Olympics, including Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, who all performed exceptionally well. However, their participation in the Olympics could leave them fatigued, which might impact their readiness for the match against Liberty.