Kate Martin, a former standout player for Iowa women’s basketball, will keep battling for a position on the roster of the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces after making it past the team’s first round of cuts on Thursday.

The guard Morgan Jones and big man Brea Beal, who was a key component of South Carolina’s 2022 national championship team and an honorable mention AP All-American in 2023, were waived by the Aces.

Former Hawkeye standout Megan Gustafson re-signed with the organization on February 1st for a two-year contract.

Martin’s deal was verified by Excel Sports Management on Thursday via their social media accounts as well. She paid Caitlin Clark, her old coworker, a visit in October 2023.

Martin was chosen in the second round of the draft on April 15, 18th overall; however, a spot on the team is not guaranteed. With only 12 teams and 144 roster seats available, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is arguably the most difficult professional sports league to establish a franchise in.

Teams are permitted to have up to 18 players throughout training camp, but on May 13, the day before the season starts, they are required to cut that number to only 12. There are currently 14 players on the Aces.

Only fifteen of the thirty-six players chosen in the 2023 draft had played in a game the year before, and only eight of those were regular starters. Martin obviously had little hope of making it to the

When WNBA legend and eventual Basketball Hall of Famer Candace Parker announced her retirement on April 28, Martin’s hopes were further elevated. With the departure of two more players in the coming days, the former Hawkeye might be able to secure a spot.