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Caitlin Clark Sends Kate Martin Shot Swat Greeting Before Fever-Valkyries Game

Caitlin Clark wasted no time hilariously getting on close friend Kate Martin's nerves before the Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries game.
Grant Young|
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark and guard Kate Martin (20) take questions before the Final Four round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Cleveland.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark and guard Kate Martin (20) take questions before the Final Four round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Cleveland. | Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

One of the most endearing friendships in all of women's basketball is between Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Golden State Valkyries standout Kate Martin. This friendship started way back when Clark was a freshman and Martin a sophomore with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

And in a June 6 appearance on Sue Bird's Bird's Eye View podcast, Martin conveyed her skeptical first impression of No. 22.

“[Clark] had come on a couple visits, and she was like a big name in Iowa. So I had heard about her," Martin said. "And so, I had heard about this Caitlin Clark, and I was watching videos of her just like having like 40 points, averaging a million in high school. And I was like, 'Oh, this girl thinks she’s gonna come here and rule the world.'

"And then she did. Came in right away and ruled the world," Martin added with a laugh. "And I was like 'Alright, here we go!'"

Fast forward about five years, and these two are still extremely close while each embarks on their respective WNBA career.

Clark's Fever are facing Martin's Valkyries on Thursday night. And Clark's welcome for Martin seems indicative of their relationship.

Chloe Peterson of IndyStar posted a video of Clark playfully trying to swat the ball out of Martin's hands while she took a warm-up three-pointer before the game began. The post was captioned, "A quick greeting for former teammates Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin, playing each other for the first time this season:"

While these two former Hawkeyes will be all business once the game begins, it's cool to see them having some fun amid their WNBA reunion.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

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