The LA Sparks have officially waived Kate Martin, ending her brief stint with the WNBA franchise. Martin, a former Iowa guard, was promoted from the Sparks’ developmental roster earlier this season but was released less than two months after securing a standard contract.
LA Sparks Make Surprising Late-Season WNBA Roster Move
On July 6th, Kate Martin made history as the first player in Sparks history to be upgraded from a developmental contract to a standard WNBA contract. Despite this breakthrough, her role diminished as the season progressed. Across 17 games, Martin averaged 2.3 points per contest, with a standout performance of 11 points against the Toronto Tempo on May 17th.
This roster adjustment comes amidst a challenging year for Martin. Earlier in 2026, she faced another setback when the Golden State team released her just before the regular season, despite having selected her in the expansion draft. Martin described that experience as “brutal.” Prior to that, she had been drafted 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Kate Martin’s WNBA Career Put on Hold Ahead of Unrivaled Season
At 26 years old, Martin is shifting focus to the upcoming season with Unrivaled, an offseason 3×3 league co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Having already re-signed with Unrivaled, she aims to leverage strong performances there as a springboard for a potential return to the WNBA in 2027.