Caitlin Clark’s ex-teammate’s dad gives telling insight into ‘abrasive’ personality

Kate Martin’s father, Matt, has revealed that Caitlin Clark may come off as “abrasive” to begin with, but he realized how special she was when watching her freshman year at Iowa

Caitlin Clark Is preparing for her second season in the WNBA after becoming one of the faces of women’s basketball, but Kate Martin’s father has revealed what she is really like behind the scenes.

Clark is the current WNBA Rookie of the Year and the Indiana Fever have been tipped as championship contenders heading into next season. Clark is yet to enjoy title success in her career despite leading Iowa to consecutive national championship games, but according to Matt Martin, she has always been special.

During Clark’s four years with the Hawkeyes, she developed a close friendship with Kate Martin and the pair remain best friends. Matt Martin has seen Caitlin and Kate evolve together, and although he described Clark as “abrasive” initially, he quickly realized just how unique she is.

After averaging just eight minutes per game in 2019-20, Martin enjoyed her breakthrough at Iowa the following year, forming a partnership with an exciting freshman talent, Clark. It didn’t take long for Martin’s father to get excited, but he realized that Clark wasn’t the most approachable athlete.

In an episode of ‘Off the Air with Matt Randazzo,’ Matt Martin said: “Caitlin Clark is special. I saw Caitlin’s freshman year. I remember Caitlin and I talking, and Caitlin has a personality (that) until she trusts you, she can be abrasive.

“Her and Kate worked on their relationship. They obviously became very close and very good friends. I remember telling Kate, ‘Listen, this girl is special. If you can make this work, I really think you can compete for some Big Ten Championships or something.’

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“I just think you can do special things. Obviously, I didn’t think they’d go back-to-back Final Fours and championship games, but they were able to do it. Definitely it worked out better than I ever thought.

“I think Caitlin in the W, there’s other great players in the W, and Caitlin’s attention helps shine a light on other players and other teams.” Clark’s impact has been clear to see, with the WNBA enjoying a record season when it comes to revenue, viewership, and exposure

Clark has also done wonders for the Indiana franchise, while Martin started on the Las Vegas Aces before being selected via the expansion draft by the newest WNBA franchise, the Golden State Valkyries. Despite being split up, Clark and Martin remain best friends and lean on each other constantly.

Clark and Martin remain close despite joining different WNBA teams(Image: 2024 Getty Images)

When asked about their daily conversations last season, Clark said: “I think just being there for one another and just be a listening ear. It’s not like we’re coaching one another.

“It’s just more like, obviously she’s one of my best friends and like she said, there’s not a lot of people that really get it that we are friends with.” Martin responded by revealing that Clark always tries to be positive, and has been really helpful during difficult moments in her career.

“I’ve had my down moments and she’s hyped me up, just like she did at Iowa,” Martin told USA TODAY. “I’ve never been in Caitlin’s shoes and I never will be.

“She’s on a completely different stage than me. But as much as I can be a listening ear and encourage her back, I try to do that.”