In a raw and vulnerable moment that has resonated across the basketball world, Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin took to social media late last night, sharing a tearful message dedicated to her partner,Claire Gransees recent bone cancer diagnosis. The 24-year-old sharpshooter, known for her tenacious defense and glue-guy mentality on the court, bared her soul in a post that has already amassed over 500,000 views, offering a glimpse into the quiet strength bolstering her rookie WNBA season.
Filmed in the dim glow of their Oakland apartment, Martin sat cross-legged on the floor, her Iowa Hawkeyes championship ring glinting on her finger. Tears streamed down her face as she addressed Berger, the Indiana Fever forward and Martin’s college sweetheart from their overlapping Big Ten circles. “Grace, my rock, my everything,” Martin began, her voice cracking. “When the doctors said those words—’breast cancer’—the world stopped. But you? You looked at me with that fire in your eyes, the same one that lit up Lucas Oil Stadium. You’ve fought for every rebound, every assist, and now you’re fighting this. I’m terrified, baby. Terrified of the chemo days when you’ll feel like the game’s slipping away, of the scans that could steal your smile. But I promise you, I’ll be your sixth woman off the bench—holding your hand through the nausea, cheering louder than any arena crowd. We’ve built this life rebound by rebound, and we’ll steal this win back together. I love you more than words, more than hoops. Fight with me, Grace. We’re undefeated as a team.”
The message comes just weeks after Berger, 25, announced her diagnosis publicly on Instagram, revealing a stage II breast cancer detected during a routine checkup following the Valkyries’ expansion draft in July. Berger, selected 14th overall by Indiana in 2023, underwent a lumpectomy last month and is set to begin chemotherapy in January, sidelining her for the 2026 season. The couple, who went public with their relationship last year after Martin’s 18th-overall draft to the Aces (and subsequent trade to Golden State), have been pillars for each other amid the league’s grueling travel.
Martin’s post has sparked an outpouring of support from WNBA stars. A’ja Wilson commented, “Y’all got this. Love wins every time. 💜” while Caitlin Clark, Martin’s former Iowa teammate, shared: “Kate’s words hit home. Claire, we’re all in your corner. Hawkeye strong.” The Valkyries organization issued a statement: “Our hearts are with Grace and Kate. Kate’s courage off the court mirrors her game—selfless and unbreakable. We’re providing full resources for their journey.”
For Martin, the timing is poignant. Fresh off a breakout November where she averaged 8.2 points and 4.1 assists in Valkyries’ preseason wins, she’s channeling her emotions into fuel. “Basketball’s my escape,” she told reporters post-practice today, wiping away fresh tears. “But Grace? She’s my why. This diagnosis doesn’t define her—our love does.”
Berger responded in a brief repost: “Kate, you make the impossible feel like free throws. Here’s to us.” As the holidays approach, the duo plans a quiet retreat in Iowa, surrounded by family and familiar courts. Their story underscores the WNBA’s growing tapestry of resilience, reminding fans that behind every crossover, there’s a deeper drive.
In the face of uncertainty, Martin’s message is a slam dunk of hope: love as the ultimate game-changer.
