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 a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. A three-time WNBA All-Star, she earned the MVP title at the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game. Plum has achieved significant success on the international stage, securing gold medals with the United States in both 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Olympics and 5x5 basketball at the 2024 Olympics. Beyond her playing career, she is 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 high school team won the CIF Division IV state championship, capping off a successful four-year period with four section titles and a 103-22 record.

July 2013: FIBA U19 World Championship

In July 2013, Kelsey Plum competed for the USA at the Tenth FIBA U19 World Championship in Lithuania, where the team won all nine games.

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

In 2013, Kelsey Plum was named a McDonald's All-American, qualifying her for the McDonald's All-American Girls Game, and she also received the Ms. Basketball award from CalHiSports as the best female high school basketball player in California.

2013: WBCA High School All-America Team Selection

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, where she scored 14 points.

December 11, 2016: Pac-12 All-Time Leading Scorer

On December 11, 2016, during her senior season, Kelsey Plum became the all-time leading scorer for either gender in Pac-12 history, surpassing Chiney Ogwumike's record in a game against Boise State.

February 25, 2017: NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Career Scoring Record

On February 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum scored a Pac-12 record 57 points in a game against Utah, setting the NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring record with 3,393 points.

May 25, 2017: WNBA Career Debut

On May 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum made her WNBA career debut for the San Antonio Stars against the Dallas Wings, scoring four points and providing 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: Signs with Fenerbahçe

In 2017, Kelsey Plum signed with Fenerbahçe of the Women's Basketball Super League (KBSL) in Turkey for the 2017–18 season.

2017: WNBA Draft Selection

In 2017, Kelsey Plum was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars, which were later renamed the Las Vegas Aces.

2017: Previous Season Performance

In 2017, the Las Vegas Aces, formerly the San Antonio Stars, had a record of 6 wins less compared to 2018, highlighting Plum's improvement and the team's growth.

2018: KBSL Championship and Return to Fenerbahçe

In 2018, Kelsey Plum helped Fenerbahçe win the KBSL championship title and then returned to the team for the 2018–19 season.

2018: Improved Statistics and Team Relocation

In 2018, Kelsey Plum improved her statistics across the board, with more points, rebounds, and assists, as the San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas and were renamed the Las Vegas Aces.

2019: Aces Reach Playoffs

In 2019, Kelsey Plum and the Las Vegas Aces finished the season as the number four seed with a 21–13 record, making the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Plum averaged double-digits in ppg during the playoff run.

January 17, 2020: Analyst for Pac-12 Network Broadcast

On January 17, 2020, Kelsey Plum worked as an analyst for the Pac-12 Network's broadcast of the Arizona State versus University of Washington women's basketball game.

May 15, 2020: Two-Year Contract Extension

On May 15, 2020, Kelsey Plum signed a two-year extension with the Las Vegas Aces worth $350,000.

2020: Gold Medal in 3x3 Basketball

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

July 2021: Olympic Gold Medal in 3x3 Basketball

In July 2021, Kelsey Plum won the gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which had been postponed from the previous year.

2021: WNBA Sixth Player of the Year

In 2021, Kelsey Plum had a career year coming off the bench, averaging 14.8 points per game and winning the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award.

January 2022: Signs with Galatasaray

On January 2022, Kelsey Plum signed with Galatasaray of the KBSL, averaging 26.5 points in 6 games.

2022: Career Highs and First All-Star Selection

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

2022: First Cigar and Playoff Motivation

In 2022, Kelsey Plum smoked her first cigar at the Eight Lounge in Las Vegas and used the promise of cigars as motivation for her team during their 2022 playoff run, smoking a cigar after each win.

2022: WNBA All-Star Game MVP

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

2022: WNBA Championship and All-WNBA First Team Selection

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

2023: Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

In 2023, Kelsey Plum secured her second consecutive WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces.

June 2024: Selection to US Olympic Team

In June 2024, Kelsey Plum was selected for the US women's Olympic team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. Plum and the United States defeated France in the final, earning her first 5x5 gold medal.