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 in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks. A three-time WNBA All-Star, she earned the WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2022. Plum has achieved international success, securing gold medals for the United States in both 3x3 basketball in 2020 and 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 high school team won the CIF Division IV state championship.

July 2013: 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 with her team.

2013: 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 Coaches' 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, scoring 14 points.

2014: Previous playoff appearence

The Aces had not made the playoffs since 2014. In 2019 they made the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

December 11, 2016: All-Time Leading Scorer in 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, surpassing Chiney Ogwumike's former record during a win against Boise State.

February 25, 2017: Pac-12 Record 57 Points and NCAA Division I Scoring Record

On February 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum scored a Pac-12 record 57 points in a win over Utah, also breaking the NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring record, surpassing Jackie Stiles' previous record.

May 25, 2017: WNBA Career Debut

On May 25, 2017, Kelsey Plum made her WNBA career debut 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 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 for the 2017–18 season and helped the team win the KBSL championship title.

2017: Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

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

2017: Aces Finished Below Playoff Spot

In the 2017 season, the Las Vegas Aces finished ninth place with a 14-20 record (6 wins better than the 2017 season), falling short of a playoff spot.

2018: Improved Statistics

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

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

In 2018, Kelsey Plum returned to Fenerbahçe for the 2018–19 season, helping the team win another KBSL championship and the Turkish Women's Basketball Cup.

2019: Aces Made Playoffs

In 2019, the Las Vegas Aces finished as the number four seed with a 21-13 record, making the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They ultimately lost in the semi-finals to the Washington Mystics.

May 15, 2020: Signed Two-Year Extension with Aces

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

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 Olympics

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

2021: WNBA Sixth Player of the Year

In 2021, Kelsey Plum had a career year coming off the bench and was named WNBA Sixth Player of the Year.

January 2022: Signed with Galatasaray

On January 2022, Kelsey Plum signed with Galatasaray of the KBSL, averaging 26.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 6 games.

2022: WNBA All-Star Game MVP

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

2022: Won WNBA Championship and Earned All-WNBA First Team Selection

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

2022: Career High in Points, Assists and Rebounds

In 2022, Kelsey Plum, as a starter, averaged a new career high in points, assists, and rebounds.

2023: Won Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

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

June 2024: Named to US 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.

July 15, 2024: To Appear 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 founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

November 2024: Opted Out of 2025 Unrivaled Season

In late November 2024, Kelsey Plum announced she would no longer be playing in the 2025 Unrivaled season, choosing to "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: Took Time Off

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