IN PHOTOS: Iowa HC Jan Jensen’s wife Julie shares snippets with Aces star Kate Martin at Royals-Cubs game

Kate Martin threw the first pitch during the Kansas City Royals vs Chicago Cubs baseball game on Saturday, as part of the Iowa night celebrations. Her aunt, Julie Fitzpatrick, who is also Iowa coach Jan Jensen's wife, shared pictures from the night on her Instagram.

"Iowa Hawkeye night at the Royals Cubs game!" she wrote in the caption.

After two-and-a-half months of intense basketball with the Las Vegas Aces, Kate Martin is back home in Iowa enjoying the month-long break due to the Paris Olympics.

The former Iowa guard's selection and rise in the WNBA is one that seems straight out of a movie. Martin attended the 2024 WNBA draft in April in support of Caitlin Clark. To many fans' surprise, she was picked at No. 18 by the defending champion Aces. Since the start of the season, Martin has played a crucial role while coming off the bench.

She is averaging 3.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, playing 14 minutes. Kate Martin is well aware of her role in the team, playing alongside superstars, and said in an interview with The Gazette:

“They said, ‘You were drafted here for a reason. You don’t have to be anybody else, you don’t have to show out.' They said, ‘Control the controllables. Attitude and effort, every day.’

“There are amazing players, star players, Olympic players on this roster,” Martin added. “My role is to be a role player, someone who is going to support her teammates every day.”

Kate Martin motivates the Iowa Hawkeyes with her fiery speech

Since she is back in Iowa, Kate Martin visited Carver-Hawkeye Arena to talk to the team. She encouraged them with a strong, motivational speech:

"Have the mindset of, 'Why Not?' Why can't you guys go back to the Final Four? Why can't you guys win the Big 10 Championship again? Don't put any limitations on who you can be and where you guys can go because that's bullsh**. Go have fun and just be the best teammate you can be. I think this year is going to be great."

The guard also promised the team that she will be present for their games in the upcoming season to cheer them on.