Kelsey Plum, in a game between San Antonio and the New York Liberty
Kelsey Christine Plum, a talented American professional basketball player, is making waves in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). With an impressive career highlighted by back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023, Plum has firmly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in women's basketball. Let's take a closer look at Plum's journey to success.
Early Life and High School Career
Born on August 24, 1994, in Poway, California, Plum comes from an athletic family. Her mother, Katie Plum, was a standout volleyball player at the University of California, Davis, while her father, Jim Plum, excelled in football and baseball. Plum's two older sisters followed in their mother's footsteps and pursued volleyball careers, while her younger brother played football at UC Davis.
Plum initially pursued volleyball as well, but during high school, she made the decision to focus on basketball. She attended La Jolla Country Day School, where she showcased her skills and led her team to multiple section titles and a state championship in 2012. Plum's exceptional performances earned her recognition as a McDonald's All-American and a spot on the WBCA High School Coaches' All-America Team.
College Career
Plum continued her basketball journey at the University of Washington, where she achieved remarkable feats. During her freshman year, Plum set multiple Washington freshman records and earned the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award. Her scoring prowess and leadership qualities were evident from the start, as she captained the team as a freshman—an uncommon achievement.
As Plum progressed through her college years, her skills continued to develop. She became the all-time leading scorer in Pac-12 history, surpassing the previous record held by Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike. Plum's outstanding performances earned her numerous accolades, including being unanimously selected as an Associated Press All-American First Teamer and winning the AP Player of the Year award for women's college basketball.
WNBA Career
In 2017, Plum's talent and hard work paid off when she was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars. This historic moment marked the first time that the first overall picks in both the NBA and WNBA drafts came from the same school in the same year—University of Washington.
After the San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas and became the Las Vegas Aces, Plum's career continued to flourish. She consistently improved and became a key player for the Aces. In 2022, Plum received her first All-Star selection and was voted as a starter for the All-Star Game. She went on to win the All-Star Game MVP award, solidifying her status as one of the league's top talents. With Plum's contributions, the Aces achieved their first-ever WNBA Championship in 2022.
Plum with Fenerbahçe in October 2017
Overseas Ventures
Plum has also showcased her skills overseas. She played for Fenerbahçe in Turkey during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 off-seasons, helping the team win the Turkish Super League championship and the Turkish Cup.
Personal Life
Off the court, Plum found love and married Darren Waller, a tight end for the New York Giants, on March 4, 2023.
Kelsey Plum's remarkable journey from high school star to WNBA champion is a testament to her talent, dedication, and hard work. As she continues to make strides in her career, Plum is leaving an indelible mark on women's basketball and inspiring young athletes across the globe. Keep an eye out for this rising star as she continues to shine on and off the court.
This article was written with Markdown, a lightweight markup language.
