Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kelsey Plum

How Kelsey Plum built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kelsey Plum, nicknamed "Plum Dawg", is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. A four-time WNBA All-Star, she earned the All-Star Game MVP in 2022. Plum is also an Olympic gold medalist, having won gold with the United States in 3x3 basketball in 2020 and in 5x5 basketball in 2024. She is also the founder of the Dawg Class basketball camp.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2012: CIF Division IV state championship

In 2012, Kelsey Plum's team won the CIF Division IV state championship.

July 2013: Competed in FIBA U19 World Championship

In July 2013, Kelsey Plum competed for the US at the Tenth FIBA U19 World Championship in Lithuania, winning all nine games and averaging 5.6 points per game.

2013: Named McDonald's All-American and Ms. Basketball

In 2013, Kelsey Plum was named a McDonald's All-American and Ms. Basketball by CalHiSports.

2013: WBCA High School All-America Team Selection and Game Participation

In 2013, Kelsey Plum was selected to the WBCA High School Coaches' All-America Team and participated in the WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring 14 points.

2014: Previous playoff appearance

Before 2019, the Aces had not made the playoffs since 2014.

2015: USA Women's Pan American Team

In 2015, Kelsey Plum was a member of the USA Women's Pan American Team which participated in basketball at the Pan American Games held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from July 10 to 26, 2015.

December 11, 2016: All-time leading scorer for Pac-12 history

On December 11, 2016, during her senior season, Kelsey Plum became the all-time leading scorer for either gender in Pac-12 history, passing Chiney Ogwumike in a win over Boise State.

February 25, 2017: Set NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring record

On February 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum scored a Pac-12 record 57 points in a win over Utah, setting the NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring record with the Washington Huskies.

May 25, 2017: WNBA Debut

On May 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum made her WNBA debut for the San Antonio Stars against the Dallas Wings, scoring four points and one assist.

August 5, 2017: Career-High 23 Points

On August 5, 2017, Kelsey Plum scored a career-high 23 points in an 87–80 overtime win against the Seattle Storm.

2017: Signed with Fenerbahçe

In 2017, Kelsey Plum signed with Fenerbahçe of the Women's Basketball Super League (KBSL) in Turkey.

2017: Selected first overall in the WNBA draft

In 2017, Kelsey Plum was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars.

2017: First Season in WNBA

In 2017, Plum played her first season in the WNBA.

2018: Won KBSL championship and Turkish Women's Basketball Cup

In 2018, Kelsey Plum helped Fenerbahçe win another KBSL championship and the Turkish Women's Basketball Cup.

2018: Improved Performance with Las Vegas Aces

In 2018, Kelsey Plum improved in every statistical category with the Las Vegas Aces, averaging more points, rebounds, and assists with higher shooting percentages.

2019: Aces made the playoffs

In 2019, the Aces finished as the number four seed with a 21–13 record, making the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

May 15, 2020: Signed extension with the Aces

On May 15, 2020, Kelsey Plum signed a two-year contract extension with the Aces.

2020: Won Gold Medal in 3x3 Basketball

In 2020, Kelsey Plum won a gold medal with the United States in 3x3 basketball.

July 2021: Won Gold Medal in 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics

In July 2021, Kelsey Plum won the gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2021: Won WNBA Sixth Player of the Year

In 2021, Kelsey Plum won the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award after averaging 14.8 points off the bench and had a career revamp season.

January 2022: Signed with Galatasaray

On January 15, 2022, Kelsey Plum signed with Galatasaray of the KBSL.

2022: Career Highs, All-Star Selection, and Championship

In 2022, Kelsey Plum averaged career highs in points, assists, and rebounds, was selected to her first All-Star team, signed a contract extension with the Las Vegas Aces, and helped the Aces win their first championship.

2022: WNBA All-Star Game MVP

In 2022, Kelsey Plum was named the WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP).

2022: Won WNBA championship and earned All-WNBA First Team selection

In 2022, with the Aces, Kelsey Plum won a WNBA championship and earned her first All-WNBA First Team selection.

2023: Won back-to-back WNBA championships

In 2023, Kelsey Plum and the Aces won back-to-back WNBA championships.

June 2024: Named to the US women's Olympic team

In June 2024, Kelsey Plum was named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, alongside fellow Aces teammates, Chelsea Gray, A'ja Wilson, and Jackie Young.

July 15, 2024: Appeared in Unrivaled League

On July 15, 2024, it was announced that Kelsey Plum would appear and play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league.

November 2024: Plum withdraws from Unrivaled

In late November 2024, Plum announced via social media that she would no longer be playing in the 2025 Unrivaled season and instead would "take some more time for myself this offseason."

2024: Won Gold Medal in 5x5 Basketball

In 2024, Kelsey Plum won a gold medal with the United States in 5x5 basketball.

2025: Plum not playing in Unrivaled season

In late November 2024, Plum announced via social media that she would no longer be playing in the 2025 Unrivaled season and instead would "take some more time for myself this offseason."