Emotional A'ja Wilson gets honest about Kate Martin’s Valkyries move

The WNBA will welcome a new team in 2025, and Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson was dejected when news broke that the Golden State Valkyries would be adding Kate Martin to their roster in the expansion draft.

Martin was the 18th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and was a highly rated prospect out of the University of Iowa. She spent her rookie season with the Aces and developed a close relationship with three-time MVP Wilson over the last year.

It has been over a month since the expansion draft was completed, and A'ja Wilson finally seems to have reached the acceptance phase of the grieving process. In a post on her Threads account on Saturday, the 28-year-old center opened up on her emotions after losing one of her teammates and close friends.

"Did I scream and fall to my knees in the kitchen when I heard her name get called …lol yeah ..was I sad….absolutely! But no regrets at all because Kate is covered! 🤍 we love our girl! She deserves this shine and moment!" she wrote.

A. Wilson shares her feelings on Kate Martin's departure from the Las Vegas Aces. Photo Credit: A'ja Wilson's Threads account

To go along with her comment, Wilson shared a short clip of Martin pulling off a crossover and drilling a 3 during the women's 3-on-3 Unrivaled tournament.

Kate Martin played 34 games with the Aces in 2024, starting twice for Becky Hammon's team. Her numbers don't pop off the page (2.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.9 apg), but the 24-year-old is an exciting prospect who should develop into a top player down the line.

The expansion draft allows a new WNBA team to select one player from the other 12 teams. WNBA franchises were permitted to designate six players each who were not eligible for selection by the Golden State Valkyries.

The Valkyries selected Kate Martin, and she will team up with some top players like former Indiana Fever forward Temi Fagbenle and veteran forward Kayla Thornton, who won the championship with the New York Liberty last year.

Wilson made sure to wish the rising star on her journey, writing that she "deserves this moment"

A'ja Wilson heaps praise on UCLA's exciting 21-year-old center

UCLA center Lauren Betts, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson. Photo Credits: Imagn

The WNBA draft is less than three months away, and experts have spent hours breaking down and analyzing the top recruits in the college game. Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson got a chance to watch one of the most talked-about prospects in action and was impressed by what she saw.

Earlier this month, Wilson saw UCLA star Lauren Betts guide her team to a 73-62 win over Indiana in Bloomington. The 6-foot-7 center dominated, recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Following the game, Wilson shared the following comment on her Threads account:

"Gotta chance to watch Lauren Betts play today… eYEA 💅."

A. Wilson on UCLA center Lauren Betts. Photo Credit: A'ja Wilson's Threads account

Betts was the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 high school class as per ESPN. This season, she is averaging 20.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.4 apg and 2.9 bpg. Her strong performances have guided the No. 1-ranked UCLA to a perfect 17-0 record.