Martin, who was a trusted teammate of Caitlin Clark during their time at University of Iowa, has been waived by the Golden State Valkyries just days before the start of the 2026 WNBA season, making her a free agent while she continues recovering from a Grade 2 quadriceps strain.
The timing of the decision caught many around the league off guard. Martin had been working through injury rehab after suffering the strain late in training camp, and she was expected by some to remain part of the Valkyries' plans as they prepared for only their second season. Instead, the roster move immediately placed her back on the open market.
Martin had built a strong reputation in Golden State during the franchise's inaugural campaign. Known for her defensive discipline and willingness to do the less visible work, she became a reliable rotation player who coaches trusted in a variety of roles.
Across 42 games in the 2025 season, she averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. While her scoring numbers were modest, her value came from her versatility, effort, and ability to fit into different lineups without disrupting team balance.
The Valkyries had initially viewed Martin as part of their future plans heading into Year 2, especially given her chemistry within the group and steady development. However, the injury changed that outlook at a crucial time, forcing the team to make difficult roster decisions ahead of opening night.
Her release also raises immediate questions about Golden State's depth, particularly in the backcourt, where Martin had been expected to contribute meaningful minutes off the bench.
Beyond her on-court role, Martin's connection to Caitlin Clark continues to keep her in the public eye. Their years together at Iowa helped transform the program into a national powerhouse, with Clark emerging as a superstar and Martin earning recognition as a leader and stabilizing presence.
That shared history has followed both players into the professional ranks, where fans continue to track their careers closely even on separate teams.
At 25, Martin still brings defensive flexibility, experience, and strong locker room presence, traits that often become valuable during the long WNBA season. If she clears waivers, she is expected to draw interest quickly, leaving her once again at a pivotal point in her career as she searches for her next opportunity.
