"Do you think she's gonna cry": Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin team up to surprise former Iowa teammate Jada Gyamfi
Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall deployed a perfect plan to bring Jada Gyamfi to tears of joy. Marshall flew from the University of North Carolina to Iowa, where Kate Martin picked her up from the airport. Marshall had apparently been plotting the ultimate surprise for her former Hawkeyes teammate Jada Gyamfi for more than a week.
On Oct. 10, Martin shared her entire journey from Chapel Hill to Gyamfi's room through a TikTok video. In it, the two contemplate whether Gyamfi will tear up after seeing them. Gabbie Marshall says she texted the Hawkeyes star a fake story to keep her from suspecting anything.
"You think she's gonna cry?," Martin asked.
"I think she is gonna cry," Marshall replied.
"Surprise was a success!!!! I love you so much @jades #longdistancefriendship #surprise," Marshall captioned the video.
Kate Martin, Jada Gyamfi and Gabbie Marshall were monumental in the Iowa Hawkeyes' historic two-year run from 2022-2024. Martin was looked upon as the glue for the entire unit; Gyamfi was known to always light up the locker room, while Marshall brought leadership and timely shot-making to the floor.
Apart from their on-court chemistry, the three developed a close-knit friendship over the years.
Martin is fresh off her rookie WNBA season and first playoff run with the Las Vegas Aces. Gyamfi is gearing up for her junior year under new Iowa coach Jan Jensen after Lisa Bluder's retirement at the end of last season. This makes her one of the few Hawkeyes to play under both Lisa Bluder and Jensen. Marshall has moved on from professional basketball and is currently pursuing a Masters at UNC.
Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin and Jada Gyamfi almost went on an eight-week long trip
As Gabbie Marshall and Martin played their last game for the Hawkeyes, they planned a final rendezvous before heading on their separate journeys.
The two, along with Jada Gyamfi, planned two months of travel for the 2024 summer. The trio planned on renting a cabin in Colorado, enjoying each other’s company and taking a step back from social media.
However, Martin, who apparently expected to remain undrafted in the 2024 WNBA draft, was selected as the 18th pick overall in the second round.