The bond between Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin, forged during their time as teammates at the University of Iowa, remains strong even as they navigate their professional careers in the WNBA. The pair faced off recently when Martin's Golden State Valkyries defeated Clark's Indiana Fever 88-77. Following the game, Martin spoke candidly about her friendship with Clark and the experience of competing against her former teammate.
Martin emphasized that their friendship transcends the wins and losses on the court. "Yes, of course. It's not about [wins or losses] whenever you have such a close friendship with somebody," Martin stated, addressing questions about whether the loss affected Clark or their communication. "We know somebody is going to have to win, somebody is going to have to lose. But we're there for each other always." She added, "I mean, obviously happy that we won, but also always cheering [Caitlin] on, always in her corner."
Their journey to the WNBA saw Clark selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, while Martin was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round before being picked up by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft. Despite being on different teams, their connection remains evident. They reportedly exchange messages on social media frequently and even shared dinner the night before their recent game.
Prior to their WNBA careers, Clark and Martin spent four seasons together at Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to two consecutive national championship appearances. Their chemistry on the court was undeniable, with Clark's exceptional playmaking often finding Martin for crucial scores.
Martin's sentiments echo previous praise Clark has given her former teammate. Clark has lauded Martin's shooting ability, basketball IQ, and often overlooked contributions. "She makes shots, she makes 3s, she always has her feet ready," Clark said last year. "From a basketball standpoint at times she could get a little overlooked. But she could do some amazing things − she can do some things I couldn't do! Her mid-post game is really good, she has a nice little fadeaway, she has a high basketball IQ."
Looking ahead, the pair are set to face each other again on July 9 in Indiana.
Adding another layer to their story, Martin recently entertained the idea of reuniting with Clark and former Iowa teammate Monika Czinano for a hypothetical 3-on-3 team coached by their former college coach, Lisa Bluder. "That would be awesome," Martin said. "That would be a good reunion. We obviously have a lot of good chemistry together, so that would obviously be a lot of fun.”
While the hypothetical reunion remains a dream scenario, Martin's existing contract with the Valkyries, extending to 2028 with a club option in 2027, means any potential WNBA team-up remains distant. Regardless, the bond between Clark and Martin continues to captivate fans, showcasing a friendship that transcends the competitive nature of professional sports.
