ESPN Predicts Valkyries' Kate Martin To Win Major Award

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated May 16, 2025 8:44 PM ET

Kate Martin is set to begin her second WNBA season on Friday night, this time as a member of the Golden State Valkyries as they face the Los Angeles Sparks.

Last year, Martin was selected in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces. Over the first half of her rookie season, Martin consistently played double-digit minutes, providing the Aces with a solid role player off the bench.

However, as Las Vegas started to get healthy, Martin's role decreased, and she didn't see nearly as much action in the latter half.

But Martin will have a new chance to find a role with the Valkyries, who selected the former Iowa Hawkeyes guard in the expansion draft. And ESPN believes she will take the next step in 2025.

On Friday, before the opening night triple-header, ESPN released its 2025 WNBA predictions. Included were projected award winners for the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Out of five analysts, WNBA reporter Michael Voepel predicted that Martin would walk away with the Most Improved Player award.

But Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso was predicted by three analysts to win the award, while Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler received the final vote.

There was a consensus among all five analysts on which players would make the All-WNBA first team. Those include the Fever's Caitlin Clark, Martin's college teammate, Lynx's Napheesa Collier, Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart and Aces' A'ja Wilson.

After playing in the first game of the preseason, Martin was held out of the finale with a right hand injury. Leading up to Friday night's opener, she was listed as probable but will officially be available.

Valkyries official game status tonight against the the Sparks

Stephanie Talbot - OUT - Right Quad
Cecilia Zandalasini - OUT - Right foot
Janelle Salaün – OUT – Rest
Kate Martin - AVAILABLE
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) May 16, 2025