Who says WNBA stars don’t have time to support their alma maters? Las Vegas Aces’ dynamic duo, Kate Martin and Liz Kitley, were front and center on Sunday afternoon, making Spectrum Center their runway as Iowa took on Virginia Tech in a nonconference showdown. Let’s be honest—this wasn’t just a game, it was a reunion-slash-fashion show featuring Hawkeye black and gold and Hokie maroon and grey.
Martin rocked a sleek Iowa sweatshirt, while Kitley strutted in her best Virginia Tech jacket. Now, you’d think these two would keep it civil since they’re teammates in the pros, but don’t be fooled by their friendly smiles. This was personal.
Courtside & Sassy
The pair were joined by none other than Gabbie Marshall, another Iowa alum, adding to the courtside star power. These three WNBA ballers were part of the 15,424 fans lucky enough to witness the Hawkeyes take a 71-52 victory. That’s right, it wasn’t exactly close. But hey, when you’re alumni, you’re still cheering no matter the scoreboard, right?
Iowa’s Lucy Olsen led the way with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. And, because teamwork makes the dream work, Addison O’Grady and Hannah Stuelke added 34 points and 10 rebounds combined. For Virginia Tech, Carleigh Wenzel did her best to keep the Hokies in the mix, finishing with 14 points and seven boards. But let’s be real—this game was all Hawkeyes, all day.
Wait, What About Kate and Liz?
Ah yes, the stars of the show. You might remember Kate Martin from her solid (and sarcastically understated) rookie season in the WNBA. She averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, with her breakout moment coming against the Los Angeles Sparks where she dropped 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists. But let’s not kid ourselves—Martin was just getting warmed up. She’s now set to suit up for Unrivaled, the women’s professional three-on-three basketball league, because why not try to dominate yet another sport?
Meanwhile, Liz Kitley’s WNBA debut remains on hold after she tore her ACL in March during her last college game. While she may have been sidelined for the 2024 WNBA season, Kitley’s contract rights are firmly in the hands of the Las Vegas Aces. Rumor has it that Kitley’s plotting her comeback like it’s a Marvel movie, and we’re all just waiting for that big post-credits scene reveal.
A Sneak Peek into Unrivaled
Kate Martin isn’t just resting on her laurels waiting for the next WNBA season. Nope, she’s out there joining Unrivaled, a brand-new women’s three-on-three basketball league created by WNBA royalty Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Set to launch in January 2025, this league promises to shake things up, with six teams already lined up, including the Laces, Lunar Owls, Mist, Phantoms, Rose, and Vinyl. And guess who else is playing? Oh, just a casual mix of WNBA stars like Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner, Jewell Loyd, and Angel Reese. No big deal, right?
So while we wait for the WNBA season to kick off in May 2025, we can all grab some popcorn and watch Martin and her fellow Unrivaled players redefine what it means to be busy. Between her second pro season and taking on this three-on-three league, it looks like Kate Martin’s 2025 is shaping up to be a basketball-filled, adrenaline-packed ride.
What’s Next for the Hawkeyes and Hokies?
Back to the NCAA action, Iowa’s victory has them flying high. They’re gearing up for a midweek Military Appreciation Night clash against Toledo and another Sunday battle with Drake. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech will try to shake off the loss as they host four straight home games at Cassell Coliseum, starting with UNC Asheville on Wednesday.
So, the next time you spot a WNBA star courtside at a college game, remember—they may look relaxed, but deep down, they’re plotting their next big move. And trust us, it’s going to be epic.