"Former love of my life" — Iowa's Jada Gyamfi makes former teammate Kate Martin laugh in recent podcast appearance
Kate Martin was Jada Gyamfi's latest guest on her new podcast "Fresh Tawk." Martin was with the Iowa Hawkeyes for five years and was seen as the glue to the roster, which included Gyamfi and Caitlin Clark.
As soon as the episode began, Gyamfi voiced her appreciation for Martin and her being on the podcast.
"I know on the last episode I said I had my favorite guest but I think this one might win. With me today I have Kate Martin, former Iowa Hawkeye, former Iowa Hawkeye, former teammate, former love of my life," Gyamfi said, with Martin erupting into laughter.
Gyamfi and Martin played together for two years at Iowa, growing their game significantly together.
In their first year together (2022-23), freshman Gyamfi struggled with earning court minutes and only attempted seven shots throughout the season. Martin, on the other hand, averaged nearly eight points, 3.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds while touching the 40 percent efficiency mark.
The two went through individual hardships in the next season. Gyamfi strived to solidify her name in the program, while Martin had to churn out her best season to continue playing basketball on the bigger stage.
While Gyamfi did not make a significant impact, she saw more court time, tripled her shot attempts, made 46.2 percent of her shots and became an integral part of the roster. She also had a cheerful, positive locker-room spirit.
Martin nearly doubled her production with averages of 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 50.7 percentage shooting.
Kate Martin and Jada Gyamfi did not anticipate Martin's WNBA draft
Despite generating the best season of her college career in 2023-24, Martin and Gyamfi did not expect Martin's name to be called on April 15, at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Instead, the two Hawkeyes had planned to go on a road trip this summer alongside other teammates. Moreover, Martin was not invited to the draft, solidifying her belief of going undrafted.
Nevertheless, Martin made it to the venue to cheer for her teammate Clark, who was rumored to go as the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, Martin was summoned from the mezzanine during the draft, with the reigning champions taking her with the 18th pick.