In a surprising turn of events at the WNBA draft, Kate Martin, a standout player from the University of Iowa, found herself being chosen by the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces. Martin, who attended the draft in support of her teammate Caitlin Clark, was selected as the 18th overall pick.

Expressing her emotions on ESPN, Martin said, "There are a lot of emotions right now. I'm really happy to be here. I was here to support Caitlin, but I was hoping to hear my name called. All I wanted was an opportunity, and I got it. I'm really excited." Her enthusiasm was evident as she hugged Hawkeyes assistant coach Jan Jensen upon hearing her name.

Martin, along with Clark, became the first pair of Iowa players to be selected in the WNBA draft since 1998, highlighting the incredible talent present in the Hawkeye women's basketball program. Both players have showcased their exceptional skills and dedication throughout their collegiate careers, making them highly sought-after prospects.

The Las Vegas Aces, who did not have any first-round picks, made the most of their three second-round choices. In addition to drafting Martin, they also selected Dyaisha Fair, the third-leading scorer in NCAA Division I history from Syracuse, with the 16th pick. The team rounded out the round by choosing Elizabeth Kitley from Virginia Tech, who unfortunately is currently recovering from a torn ACL and will be out for the season.

Martin's selection by the Aces comes as a testament to her hard work and determination. She expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, mentioning her strong work ethic. With the defending champions recognizing her potential, Martin is eager to prove herself at the professional level.

The WNBA draft proved to be a memorable experience for Martin, who initially attended to support her teammate but ended up realizing her own dreams. As she embarks on her professional career with the Las Vegas Aces, the basketball world eagerly awaits to see how she will make her mark in the league.

(Note: Since no specific dates were mentioned in the provided text, none were included in the article.