If there’s one thing that can bring a tear to your eye—and no, we’re not talking about the Hawkeyes’ three-point percentages—it’s the wholesome reunion that unfolded in Iowa recently. Picture this: a cozy “Homecoming” dinner hosted by Julie Fitzpatrick, wife of Iowa’s new women’s basketball coach, Jan Jensen. Now add some of Iowa’s basketball royalty to the guest list, and you’ve got the feel-good event of the year.
Kate Martin, who’s been giving opponents nightmares since her Hawkeye days, was all smiles as she joined her former teammates, including—you guessed it—the one-woman highlight reel herself, Caitlin Clark, and fellow backcourt buddy Gabbie Marshall. The trio reunited in style at the dinner, which also doubled as a birthday bash for Jensen’s daughter, Janie. Who says you can’t mix family and basketball?
The highlight of the night? Probably Janie snagging a pic with Clark, while Martin and the gang got into the groove, making the whole evening one big nostalgia-filled party. After all, if you didn’t dance with your old teammates at a “Homecoming” dinner, were you even there?
And don’t think Martin’s keeping all this cuteness to herself. She made sure to share her excitement on Instagram, with a caption that was dripping in pure joy: “Awe, this is so cute!” Honestly, she wasn’t wrong.
But let’s not forget why Martin, Clark, and Marshall were such a big deal in the first place. Back in their Iowa days, this trio was one of the most feared backcourts in women’s college basketball. Sure, Clark might have been the one hitting buzzer-beaters from the parking lot, but Martin? She was putting up stats that would make anyone do a double-take. In her final season, Martin averaged 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, all while hitting some serious career milestones.
She didn’t just stop there. Martin became the 43rd Hawkeye to cross 1,000 career points, and the first player in Iowa history to rack up over 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals, and 60 blocks. It’s like she was trying to collect all the Infinity Stones, except, you know, in basketball stat form.
After graduating from Iowa, Martin joined the 2024 WNBA draft alongside—you know who. While Clark went first overall (because, duh), Martin was scooped up in the second round by none other than the Las Vegas Aces. Sure, she hit a rough patch with an Achilles injury, but that’s just the warm-up. Mark our words: she’ll be back in 2025, ready to make defenders wish they’d stayed home.
And while Martin’s been focused on healing up, Marshall decided to take her talents off the court. She’s pursuing a master’s in occupational therapy at UNC Chapel Hill, which, let’s be real, is just as impressive as any triple-double.
As we look forward to 2025 and beyond, one thing’s for sure—whether it’s on the court, at a Homecoming dinner, or making heartfelt Instagram posts, this Iowa crew knows how to make an impact. And if you need proof of that? Just ask Kate Martin, who’s already planning her next comeback—and probably another “cute” post.
