All eyes will be on the Los Angeles Sparks rotation to see if Kate Martin debuts on Wednesday against her former teammate, Caitlin Clark, and her Indiana Fever. Martin was shockingly waived by the Golden State Valkyries days before the season tipped off. After a few days of being a free agent, the Sparks signed the former Iowa 3-point specialist to a player development contract.
Martin hasn’t suited up for the team yet. She was apparently dealing with a quad injury, but isn’t on the injury report ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster clash against the Fever. Martin can play if the Sparks decide to dig deep into their depth. A player development contract allows a franchise to play someone on such a deal for 12 games before they decide to offer them a standard contract.
However, the Sparks have a stacked backcourt led by Kelsey Plum, Ariel Atkins, Rae Burrell and Erica Wheeler, who are all ahead in the pecking order. Coach Lynne Roberts may continue to sit Kate Martin and use her 12-game allowance wisely when they could be shorthanded in some games, or need to make in-game adjustments.
Kate Martin sends message to Sparks fans for the first time since signing player development contract
Kate Martin addressed Sparks fans for the first time since signing a player development contract. On Tuesday, a day before her potential debut against the Fever, in a simple video message, Martin said:
“Hey Sparks fans, Kate Martin here, super excited to be here and be a part of the team and thanks for welcoming me.”
Martin is coming off a solid second year in which she averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game across 42 appearances and four starts. Martin didn’t shoot as efficiently as she did in her rookie year, converting only 31.0% of her 3-point shots. Nevertheless, she showed tremendous promise while playing a bigger role as an integral part of a playoff contender.
Martin will hope to get another significant chance with the Sparks to prove her worth at the earliest and sign a standard deal.
