FILE - Iowa's Kate Martin, left, poses for a photo with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, right, after being selected 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces during the second round of the WNBA basketball draft April 15, 2024, in New York. Former Iowa player Martin made the Aces opening day roster after being chosen in the second round of the WNBA draft. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Kate Martin was right there as her best friend, Caitlin Clark, became the face of women’s college basketball the past two years and then was in the building when her Iowa teammate was selected first by Indiana in this year’s WNBA draft.

Martin also was drafted that April night, going 18th to the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

Though she knows what the spotlight looks like up close, it’s not nearly as intense for Martin as it is for Clark. That gives Martin the breathing room to adapt to professional basketball while not having every move scrutinized.

“We’re not asking her to come and score 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds),” Aces two-time MVP A’ja Wilson said. “We don’t need that from her. We just need her to bring the energy and the hard-working mentality that she had in college.”

Iowa's Kate Martin has heartwarming message for $3.1 million NIL-valued Caitlin Clark amid March Madness run: "I want Caitlin in my foxhole"

Martin and Clark remain in touch, but they have not seen each other since they went to their separate WNBA teams. That changes Saturday night when the Aces host the Fever.

“I miss her a lot,” Martin said. “I spent every day with her the last four years, and I haven’t seen her in like a month and a half. I’m excited to see her, and obviously it’s going to be a good game. It’s going to be a fun environment.”