Kate Martin officially became one of the first members of the emerging Golden State Valkyries franchise on Friday evening.

WNBA teams were allowed to protect six players on their rosters ahead of the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft, but the Las Vegas Aces left Martin open. Golden State took advantage and made Martin one of 11 players selected from 11 different teams.

“I’m really excited,” Martin said on the ESPN broadcast. “This league is all about opportunities and you only need one opportunity, right? I’m very grateful for the Aces and everything I was able to learn there, but I’m really looking forward to this new beginning and building something from the ground up.” On with the Valkyries.

Caitlin Clark, Martin’s four-year college teammate at Iowa, also commented on the news.

“Let’s go, cat!!!!” Clark wrote on her Instagram story.

Martin, the No. 18 pick in the 2024 draft, quickly became a popular member of the Aces’ roster. A number of her now-former teammates reacted to Martin leaving Southern Nevada for the Bay Area, including three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.

“My baby, I’m so happy for you, you’re a gem,” Wilson wrote on her Instagram Story. “Now we have to give you and (coach Natalie Nakase) 50.”

Martin will now begin the next chapter of her WNBA career in the Bay. The first duels against their friends in the Aces and Fever are probably circled on their calendar for 2025.