Tom Brady sends welcome message to new Las Vegas Aces star Kate Martin – who only went to the Draft to support Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark in New York… before getting picked herself!

Tom Brady has been a minority owner of the Las Vegas Aces since October 

Tom Brady sent a warm welcome to Caitlin Clark’s former teammate on Monday night, as Kate Martin was selected by the Las Vegas Aces.

Martin, a former University of Iowa player alongside Clark, admitted that she was shocked to hear her name called in the second round, and that she was primarily there to support Clark.

But the Aces used the 18th overall pick to select her, leading Brady – a minority owner of the team – to write ‘Welcome to the family!’ on his Instagram story atop a graphic of Martin and her fellow Aces draftees.

The aces did not have a first-round pick but also selected Dyaisha Fair 16th overall, Elizabeth Kitley 24th overall and Angel Jackson with the 26th overall pick.

Brady was officially approved as a minority owner of the Aces in October.

Kate Martin was selected 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces on Monday in the WNBA Draft

And Tom Brady, a minority owner in the team, welcomed her to the squad afterwards

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Speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after being selected, Martin,’ 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, so I’m really excited.’

Martin averaged 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game – and was a key contributor to the team’s success throughout the season.

Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft

Brady, meanwhile, dropped a massive un-retirement hint last week, saying he was ‘not opposed’ to a return if a team called him.

‘I’m always gonna be in good shape. I’m always gonna be able to throw the ball,’ he added. ‘To come in for a bit like MJ (Michael Jordan) coming back – I don’t know if they’d let me, but I would not be opposed to it.’

The 46-year-old stepped away from the NFL ‘for good’ in early 2023.

A year after winning the WNBA championship, the Aces enjoyed a strong draft Monday night. In addition to Martin, who averaged 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 39 games this past season, Las Vegas drafted Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair, Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Kitley and Jackson State center Angel Jackson.

Martin also received a warm welcome to the WNBA from Aces center Megan Gustafson, who was a senior at Iowa when Martin redshirted in 2018-19. Additionally, two-time league MVP A’Ja Wilson and Aces guard Sydney Colson congratulated Martin.

The upcoming WNBA season, which tips off May 14, is arguably the most anticipated campaign in league history. The Aces will open the season that same night when they play host to the Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET.

The upcoming WNBA season, which tips off May 14, is arguably the most anticipated campaign in league history. The Aces will open the season that same night when they play host to the Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET.