Caitlin Clark is getting support from a former colleague and fellow rookie as her first WNBA season progresses.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin defended Clark — a longtime friend and four-year Iowa colleague — and the pressure from those on the outside.
“Caitlin is amazing, and she’s having a fantastic debut season. Martin believes that people are overly critical of her and expect her to be perfect. “That’s unrealistic, right?” Martin also praised Clark’s off-court abilities and promised to always have her support.
“She’s a phenomenal person; she’s a phenomenal player,” Martin told ESPN. “I’m going to support her through everything.” Clark and Martin played together for the Hawkeyes from 2020 to 2024, starting all 139 games. Martin was Clark’s backcourt mate every step of the way as she won two National Player of the Year titles and broke the collegiate basketball scoring record.
The two propelled Iowa to unparalleled heights, reaching consecutive national championship games.
Following the Hawkeyes’ loss to South Carolina in this year’s championship game, Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Martin, who attended the draft to support Clark, was also selected in the second round by the Aces, which was rather unexpected.
Clark has had a terrific start to her professional career, averaging 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 39.9 percent.
Clark was announced last week as the WNBA’s second-ranked player in the All-Star Game vote.
Meanwhile, Martin has proven to be an effective bench player in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot guard has averaged four points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in 13 games (with one start) for the two-time defending champions, while playing 17.2 minutes per game. Clark and Martin first faced off on May 25, with the Aces defeating the Fever 99-80.
The Hawkeye greats will next face off on July 2.
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