Former Iowa women's basketball star Kate Martin is headed to Australia after signing with the Bendigo Spirit of the Women's National Basketball League on Nov. 10, keeping her on the court through the winter months.
The Spirit signed Martin as a replacement player for guard Abbey Wehrung, who is expecting her first child, according to Yahoo Sports. Martin will join the team for the remainder of the 2026-27 WNBL season.
What Kate Martin said about the move
Martin, 26, made clear she views the overseas stint as a chance to prove herself after a difficult WNBA year.
“I've heard great things about the WNBL and the standard of basketball in Australia, so I'm looking forward to challenging myself in a new environment,” Martin said in a statement. “Bendigo has a really talented group and a strong team culture, and I'm excited to get to work, meet my teammates and hopefully contribute to another successful season.”
She is expected to arrive in Australia on Friday, Nov. 13. Bendigo plays that day, but if Martin is not available, her first chance to suit up comes Saturday, Nov. 21, against the Townsville Fire.
Why the signing matters for the Spirit
Martin walks into a tough situation. Bendigo sits last in the nine-team league with an 0-5 record as of Wednesday, Nov. 11, and the club is counting on the former Hawkeye to help turn the season around.
The WNBL, founded in 1981, is one of the longest-running women's professional basketball leagues in the world, predating the WNBA by more than a decade. Its season runs from October through March and features several players with WNBA experience, including reigning league MVP Isobel Borlase, who debuted with the Atlanta Dream in 2026.
Kate Martin's 2026 WNBA season
The signing in Australia comes after a season in which Martin bounced between three WNBA rosters.
The Valencia, Iowa, native was waived by the eventual WNBA champion Golden State Valkyries on May 7, just ahead of the season opener. She later appeared in 17 games with the Los Angeles Sparks before being waived in August, then signed a developmental contract with the Chicago Sky and played in two more games.
All told, Martin averaged 2.6 points in 7.7 minutes per game across 19 appearances, a steep drop from her 2025 campaign with Golden State, when she averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 42 games.
Martin entered the league as the 18th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, selected by the Las Vegas Aces after a celebrated career at Iowa alongside Caitlin Clark. She played 11.5 minutes per game across 34 contests as a rookie, but the Aces left her unprotected in the 2025 expansion draft, where the Valkyries took her sixth.
Why Kate Martin is not in Unrivaled this year
The move to Australia also answers a question fans had been asking: Martin will not return to Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women's league she helped launch.
“I'm incredibly grateful to Unrivaled for the opportunity to be part of its first two seasons,” Martin said in a statement released Oct. 28. “It's been special to help launch a league that continues to elevate women's basketball. While I'm excited about what's on the horizon for me, I'm so thankful for the people, the competition, and the memories I've made in Unrivaled.”
USA Today reported that Martin explained her decision to ESPN's Megan Hustwaite, saying it was a direct response to how her WNBA season went.
Martin had been with Unrivaled since its inaugural season in 2025. In 13 games with the Breeze last season, she averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
What's next for Martin
For Iowa fans, the Bendigo signing means more basketball to watch from one of the program's most beloved players. Martin built her reputation in Iowa City as a gritty leader and winner, and she carried that reputation into the professional ranks despite an uneven path.
The WNBL season runs through March, which would put Martin back in the United States ahead of WNBA training camps in the spring. A strong stint in Australia could rebuild her stock after a year of roster churn and position her for a more stable WNBA deal in 2027.
Bendigo's next test after Martin's potential debut comes with a schedule built for a turnaround, and the club will look to its newest Hawkeye to lead it out of last place.
FAQ
Which team did Kate Martin sign with in Australia?
Martin signed with the Bendigo Spirit of the WNBL on Nov. 10 for the rest of the 2026-27 season, replacing guard Abbey Wehrung, who is expecting her first child.
When will Kate Martin make her Bendigo debut?
Martin arrives in Australia on Friday, Nov. 13. If she cannot play that day, her first opportunity to debut comes Saturday, Nov. 21, against the Townsville Fire.
Is Kate Martin playing in Unrivaled in 2027?
No. Martin announced on Oct. 28 that she will not play in Unrivaled this season after two years with the league, choosing instead to play in Australia.