Kelsey Christine Plum is a name that seems to have been destined for greatness. However, the Las Vegas Aces point guard materialized her destiny through continued follow-up of excellence. She was an excellent collegiate performer, making records and breaking the stats table with her performance. However, she decided to continue to deliver at the same pace among the highest-qualified female basketball players in the world and on platforms like WNBA. Kelsey was unparalleled in terms of scoring at the collegiate level as she not only set a career-high scoring record but also set a new NCAA All-Time scoring record on the same night. The following piece will give more details about the aforementioned fact. However, before that, let’s get a look at the primary information regarding the WNBA star Kelsey Plum.
Kelsey Christine Plum Biography
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1994 |
| Age | 30 (as of 2024) |
| Birth Place | Poway, California, USA |
| Position | Point Guard |
| College | University of Washington |
| Height | 5’8″(1.73m) |
| Weight | 145lbs(65Kg) |
| Parents | Jim Plum and Katie Plum |
| Team | Las Vegas Aces |
| Draft Info | Overall 1st pick in 2017 WNBA Draft Class |
| Experience | Seven Seasons |
Early LIfe
The early life of Kelsey Plum was not as smooth as her WNBA career right now. Born to Katie and Jim Plum, Kelsey hailed from an athletic family. Her mother was a University of California volleyball player, while her father was a baseball and football player for the San Diego State University. Even Kelsey Plum’s two older sisters and younger brother went for sports like volleyball and football. In her early days, Plum faced trouble mixing up with the kids as she was dyslexic. That’s why she had to change her elementary education to Midland Elementary. Even there, Kelsey was comfortable with the staff.
Over time, when she decided to go to High School, she chose La Jolla Country Day School instead of Poway High School to focus on basketball. Before that, Kelsey Plum was more into volleyball. And she emerged to be great at her choice averaging 19.9 points per game during her high school career. During this period, Kelsey Plum dished out 677 rebounds, 381 assists, and 370 steals. Some of her achievements during her high school career included:
- Played for Team USA at the U-19 World Championships in 2013
- Helping Team USA to the Gold Medal
- Named a Max Preps All-American
- USA Today All-American
- WBCA All-American
- McDonald’s All-American
Also Read: Caitlin Clark Biography
Collegiate Life
After high school, Kelsey Plum decided to pursue higher studies at the University of Washington and majored in anthropology. Alongside her studies, she now had the assistance of basketball at a high level. However, the freshman year for the now Las Vegas Aces point guard was not so majestic. Rather, it was more like a first step where Plum just averaged 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. However, her three-point percentage was only 36.7%, not quite far from her field goal percentage of 39.3%.
As he moved ahead, Kelsey Plum stepped up her game as she improved in all departments. She averaged 22.6 points, 3.7 boards, and 3.3 dimes. Her field goal and beyond-the-arc shooting both improved to 43.2 and 39.9%, respectively. The graph continued during her sophomore season, and she averaged 25.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. However, her overall accuracy from the field dropped in the pursuit of volume scoring.
In her senior year at Washington University, Kelsey Plum expanded her balling abilities like never before, as she averaged 31.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Even her field goal percentage got extremely significant, with 52.9%, and her three-point shooting percentage rose up to 42.8%. One of her pioneering performances from her collegiate career came on February 25, 2017, when she dished out a career-high 57 points to set a new NCAA Division I women’s basketball all-time scoring record. Her new score count on the hardcourt in NCAA was 3,397 points at that point.
Here are some of her prominent collegiate achievements:
- All-time NCAA scoring leader with 3,527 points
- Broke single-season NCAA scoring record with 1,109 points in 2016-17
- Broke 33-year-old NCAA career free throw record (912)
- AP Player of the Year (2017)
- Won the Dawn Staley, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Nancy Lieberman awards, Naismith and Wade Trophy (2017)
Also Read: Angel Reese’s Net Worth & WNBA Salary
Kelsey Plum Net Worth 2024: How Much Is She Worth?
As of 2024, according to the Marca report, Kelsey Plum’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million. This estimation captures not only her compensation from the WNBA but also other sources of income, such as international contracts, sponsorship deals, and ventures of other kinds. Plum, a master scorer and dribbler, has been able to secure good opportunities both within and outside the United States, contributing to her financial growth over time. It is expected that her net worth will continue to grow as she advances her career and expands her brand partnerships.
Kelsey Plum’s Salary and Overseas Contracts
Due to Kelsey Plum’s more than satisfactory performance on the hardcourt for the Las Vegas Aces, she has earned a handsome raise in her salary over the years. Here is a breakdown of her salary inside and outside the league as per the data from the Sportrac:
| Year | WNBA Salary | Overseas Salary (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| 2018 | $57,000 | $160,000 |
| 2019 | $67,000 | $170,000 |
| 2020 | $68,000 | $175,000 |
| 2021 | $170,000 | $200,000 |
| 2022 | $196,000 | $220,000 |
| 2023 | $200,000 | $225,000 |
| 2024 | $200,000 | $230,000+ |
The Las Vegas Aces point guard has been continuously improving as a standout player. However, since receiving the extension in the year 2022, her average scoring per game in a single season has reduced significantly. It was 20.1 in 2022 and has reduced to 17.8 points per game in 2024. However, she has maintained her rebounding abilities around the rim to 2.6 boards per game. Therefore, her worth as a role player on the roster is viable. Also, the team can try out new talents on the scoring end if Kelsey Plum cannot produce results on both sides.
Also Read: Breanna Stewart’s Net Worth & WNBA Salary
Kelsey Plum Endorsements: Brands Backing Her Talent
Alongside her salary from the Aces, different endorsement contracts signed by Plum have increased her net worth.
Plum had been with Nike when she entered the league; however, in 2022, after winning her first WNBA championship, she created a buzz when she made a switch to an Under Armour sponsorship deal. After joining hands with the athletic wear mogul, Kelsey Plum said in an interview according to ES, “Those transitions (entering the professional league from college) can be a lot easier if you have flashcards on what to do and what not to do. I think you’re going to see a lot of cool things coming out in the future with me, the next generation, and of course, Under Armour leading the way in that.“
Among the companies that support Plum are Google, Kingmakers Cigars, Target, Skims, and LegalZoom.
In addition to this, her earnings have also been contended to have simmered in another $100,000 from her overseas assignments, particularly the Turkish teams Fenerbahce and Galatasaray for their off-season games.
Apart from earnings from basketball, in 2020, Plum also took up coaching as a career, where she served as a graduate assistant for women’s basketball at the University of Arkansas.
This role has also been instrumental in reinforcing her image as an all-rounded person in the field of sports.
Personal Life of Kelsey Plum: Marriages and Divorce
Personally, Kelsey Plum has not been quite vocal about her relationship status. However, it is public knowledge that she started dating Darren Waller while he was playing for the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL, and Kelsey Plum had just entered the WNBA league. Later, on March 4, 2023, they tied the knot with each other. But nobody knew that relationship was going to end on such a quick note because only a year later, Kelsey Plum filed for divorce! Waller has not decided whether to play as tight end further in the NFL, while Kelsey got mentally affected by the split.
“Going through a very public divorce is something I was not expecting. It felt like the rug got taken out from under me, “ Plum said to ESPN. However, Kelsey Plum has not revealed the details of the breakup and just left the tale to share “one day.”
Kelsey Plum’s WNBA Stats: Career Highlights and Achievements
Kelsey Plum’s on-court performance is nothing short of spectacular. Below is a summary of her WNBA career stats to date as per ESPN:
| Year | Games Played | Points per Game | Assists per Game | Rebounds per Game | Field Goal % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 31 | 8.5 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 34.6% |
| 2018 | 31 | 9.5 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 46.7% |
| 2019 | 34 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 36.5% |
| 2021 | 26 | 14.8 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 43.7% |
| 2022 | 36 | 20.2 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 46.0% |
| 2023 | 39 | 18.7 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 47.5% |
| 2024 | 38 | 17.8 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 42.3% |
Kelsey Plum has been exponentially consistent on the hardcourt with the ball. However, this past season, due to her personal troubles, the performance was not up to the mark as expected from the Las Vegas Aces point guard. She tried her best, given the fact that she has given two championships back to the Aces.
Apart from being a spearhead force at WNBA, Kelsey Plum is also active in the international basketball scene. She signed with Fenerbahçe of the Women’s Basketball Super League in 2017 and earned them the title of Turkish basketball league in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Later on, she signed with Galatasaray of the same league in 2022 and averaged north of 26 points in the six games that she played. Here are some of the additional achievements of Kelsey Plum from the league:
- 2x WNBA Champion
- 3x WNBA All-Star
- 2022 WNBA All-Star Game MVP
- 2021 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
- 2017 WNBA All-Rookie Team
- WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month in September 2021
- WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week
- WNBA Skills Challenge Champion
Conclusion
The WNBA’s Kelsey Plum transcends statistics and accomplishments. Plum has changed the game as one of the best athletes in the league and has brought beauty and excitement to the game. Her ability to score, hard work, and grit have seen her emerge as one of the key figures in the history of women’s basketball. Not only does this girl strengthen her team, the Las Vegas Aces, but she also raises the profile of the entire WNBA. She has also been an inspiring figure to many young girls, and her active participation in the league has always raised the level and profile of the tournament. Kelsey Plum’s contribution to the WNBA in her lifetime will be remarkable, creating a standard of accomplishment and passion that will be looked upon in the years to come.
FAQs
How much does Kelsey Plum make with endorsements?
There is no official data or info about Kelsey Plum’s endorsement earnings.
What is Kelsey Plum’s net worth?
As per Marca, in 2024, Kelsey Plum’s net worth is reportedly $2 million.
What do Kelsey Plum’s parents do?
Kelsey’s parents, Katie and Jim Plum have been active in the college volleyball and football scene for a long time.
Who is Kelsey Plum’s ex-husband?
Katie Plum’s ex-husband is former NFL tight end Darren Waller.
Does Kelsey Plum have siblings?
Yes, Kelsey has two elder sisters, Lauren and Kaitlyn, and a younger brother, Dan.
How tall is Kelsey Plum in Ft.?
Kelsey Plum is 5 feet 8 inches tall in terms of feet stature.