In a surprising and emotional development, Breeze guard Kate Martin has taken an indefinite leave from the 2026 Unrivaled season to focus on her mental health and personal recovery after ending her relationship with longtime partner Claire Gransee.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout, who has been a consistent scoring threat in the fast-paced 3-on-3 league, made the announcement quietly through her representatives late last week. Sources close to the situation say the breakup, which occurred several months ago, has been kept largely private until recent social media changes sparked widespread speculation among fans.
Martin and Gransee, who began dating during their college years in Iowa City, had become one of the most visible and supportive couples in women’s basketball. Their shared posts—featuring game days, off-season travels, and quiet moments—regularly drew positive engagement from the WNBA and college hoops communities. Earlier this year, however, those photos began disappearing from Martin’s profiles, prompting questions that were never directly addressed until now.
“Kate has poured everything into her career and her relationships,” a close friend told reporters. “Right now she just needs time to heal and reset. This isn’t about basketball—it’s about her.”
The Breeze, currently in the thick of the Unrivaled playoff push, released a short statement expressing full support: “We stand by Kate 100%. Her well-being is our top priority, and the door is always open when she’s ready to return.”
Fans have responded with an outpouring of love online, trending supportive messages and sharing clips of Martin’s highlight-reel plays from both Unrivaled and her WNBA rookie run with the Las Vegas Aces.
Martin herself posted a brief, heartfelt message on Instagram: “Thank you for the love and understanding. Taking care of myself first. I’ll be back when the time is right. ❤️”
No return timeline has been given, but the league and her team continue to emphasize privacy and support during this personal chapter.
