Kelsey Christine Plum, born on August 24, 1994, is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She led the Aces to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, Plum was honored with a spot on the All-WNBA First Team and was named the MVP of her first WNBA All-Star Game. She also won gold medals in both 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and in 5×5 basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Kelsey Plum Biography 2024
Plum graduated from La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego and went on to play college basketball at the University of Washington. On February 25, 2017, she scored a career-high 57 points on senior night, breaking the NCAA Division I women’s basketball all-time scoring record with 3,397 points. Later that month, on March 20, 2017, she also set the NCAA record for most points in a single season with 1,080. Plum was selected as the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars and was named the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in 2021.
Kelsey Plum Biography Details
| Born | August 24, 1994 (age 30)
Poway, California, U.S. |
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| Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
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| Listed weight | 145 lb (66 kg) |
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| High school | La Jolla Country Day
(La Jolla, California) |
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| College | Washington (2013–2017) |
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| WNBA draft | 2017: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
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Kelsey Plum Early Life
Plum is the daughter of Katie and Jim Plum. Her mother was a skilled volleyball player at the University of California, Davis, while her father earned All-American honors playing high school football in La Mesa, California, before continuing his athletic career in both football and baseball at San Diego State. Plum has two older sisters, Kaitlyn and Lauren, and a younger brother, Daniel. Both of her sisters followed their mother’s volleyball path, with Kaitlyn playing for UC Davis and Lauren playing for the University of Oregon and the USA Volleyball Junior National Team. Daniel played football at UC Davis.
Plum attended a local Montessori school through fourth grade, but due to her dyslexia, she faced bullying and felt unprepared to advance to the next grade. This led to her transferring to Midland Elementary, a public school. Her mother, Katie, suggested repeating fourth grade, a decision Plum ultimately agreed to. However, the experience was not ideal, as Plum didn’t get along with her teacher and was separated from her friends. She requested to switch classes, and her request was granted. Even in high school, Plum struggled with feelings of not belonging. She has since shared her story in hopes of encouraging others facing similar challenges.
Initially, Plum excelled in volleyball, thriving in the USA Volleyball junior system, but when it came time to choose a high school, she opted for La Jolla Country Day School over Poway High, where her sisters had attended. At La Jolla, she chose basketball over volleyball, following in the footsteps of Candice Wiggins, a former player at the school.
Kelsey Plum Bio
Factor | Detail |
Birthplace | Poway, California, U.S. |
Date of Birth | August 24, 1994 |
Parents | Katie and Jim Plum |
Siblings | Two older sisters, Kaitlyn and Lauren, younger brother Daniel |
Mother’s Career | Volleyball player for UC Davis |
Father’s Career | All-American football and baseball player at San Diego State |
Family Sports Influence | Plum’s family has strong athletic roots, with her siblings excelling in volleyball and her father in football and baseball |
Early Basketball Development
Year | Facts |
Early Education | Attended Montessori and Midland Elementary Schools |
High School | La Jolla Country Day School |
High School Achievements | Scored 2,247 points, won four section titles and a state championship |
High School Records | Averaged 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game |
Notable High School Recognition | McDonald’s All-American, Ms. Basketball California |
College Career at Washington
Season | Achievements |
Freshman Year | Named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, 695 points scored in first season |
Sophomore Year | Set school record with 45 points in a game, named to Wooden Award watchlist |
Junior Year | Led Washington to Final Four, averaged 25.9 points per game |
Senior Year | Set NCAA record with 3,527 career points, 57 points in a game against Utah |
College Honors | John R. Wooden Award, Pac-12 Player of the Year, 3× First-Team All-American |
WNBA Career Overview
Year | Information |
Drafted | 1st overall pick by the San Antonio Stars (now Las Vegas Aces) in 2017 |
2017 Season | All-Rookie Team, averaged 8.5 points per game |
2018 Season | Improved in every statistical category with Las Vegas Aces |
2021 Season | WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, career-high 14.8 points per game |
2022 Season | Career-high averages of 20.2 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds |
2023 Season | Helped Aces win their second WNBA championship, awarded WNBA Finals MVP |
International Play and KBSL
Year | Detail |
Fenerbahçe (2017-2019) | Played in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League (KBSL), winning two KBSL championships |
Galatasaray (2022) | Played in KBSL, averaging 26.5 points per game in 6 appearances |
Other Leagues | Played in various international leagues, contributing to her development as a global player |
Olympic Gold Medals
Olympic Event | Achievements |
2020 Tokyo (3×3) | Gold Medal in Women’s 3×3 Basketball with Team USA |
2024 Paris (5×5) | Gold Medal in Women’s 5×5 Basketball with Team USA |
WNBA Championships and Awards
Year | Points |
2022 | WNBA Champion, All-WNBA First Team, All-Star Game MVP |
2023 | WNBA Champion, First-team All-WNBA, Led Aces to another title |
Individual Awards | WNBA Skills Challenge Champion (2023), WNBA Sixth Player of the Year (2021) |
Personal Life
Event | Detail |
Marriage | Married NFL player Darren Waller on March 4, 2023 |
Divorce | Filed for divorce on April 23, 2024, after one year of marriage |
Personal Beliefs | Strong Christian faith, has a tattoo saying “Keep the faith” |
International Basketball Career and Clubs
Club | Achievement |
Fenerbahçe (2017-2019) | KBSL champion, Turkish Women’s Basketball Cup winner |
Galatasaray (2022) | Averaged 26.5 points per game, contributed significantly to team success |
Broadcast and Media Appearances
Year | Information |
First Broadcast | January 17, 2020, analyst for Pac-12 Network |
Key Event | Analyst for the Arizona State at University of Washington women’s basketball game |
Philanthropic Efforts
Event | Detail |
Charity Work | Involved in various philanthropic efforts, supporting youth and women’s sports initiatives |
Community Engagement | Active in using her platform to inspire others and give back |
Strength and Fitness Transformation
Aspect | Facts |
Physical Transformation | Noticed increased muscle mass, especially biceps, after 2023-2024 offseason |
Strength | Described as muscular and strong, a key physical trait for her performance |
Future Plans and Unrivaled League
Event | Detail |
Unrivaled League | Will participate in inaugural season of women’s 3×3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart |
2025 Season | Announced in November 2024 that she would not participate in the 2025 season to focus on personal time |
Honors and Recognitions
Award | Points |
WNBA Honors | 2× WNBA Champion, All-WNBA First Team (2022), All-Star Game MVP (2022) |
College Honors | John R. Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year (2017), 3x All-American |
Olympic Medals | Gold Medalist in 3×3 (2020 Tokyo) and 5×5 (2024 Paris) |
Legacy and Impact on Women Sports
Legacy Aspect | Detail |
Role Model | Seen as a trailblazer in women’s sports, inspiring young athletes |
Cultural Influence | Known for embracing her roots, including her connection to her Irish heritage |
Kelsey Plum Personal Development
Category | Data |
Learning Challenges | Overcame struggles with dyslexia and bullying during childhood |
Mental Resilience | Emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith and resilience during tough times |
Career Records and Achievements
Category | Record/Achievement |
NCAA Career Points | NCAA Division I Women’s All-Time Scoring Record with 3,527 points |
WNBA Career Milestones | 2× WNBA Champion, 3× All-Star, First Player Drafted in 2017 |
Kelsey Plum Net Worth
Kelsey Plum net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Kelsey Plum Summary
Kelsey Plum is a professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and a gold medalist in both 3×3 and 5×5 basketball at the Olympics. She became the NCAA Division I women’s all-time leading scorer in 2017 while playing for the University of Washington. Plum was the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft and has earned numerous accolades, including WNBA championships and All-Star selections. Known for her sharp skills and leadership, she has also played overseas in Turkey. Off the court, she is involved in philanthropy and has a personal commitment to faith.
