Kelsey Plum is a famous player in women’s basketball, known for her skill and influence off the court. She is a WNBA star, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time league champion. Her story shows the growth of women’s sports, the value of building a personal brand, and the power of persistence. This looks at her career, earnings, and off-court work, showing why she is one of the most respected and marketable athletes today.

Early Life and Collegiate Dominance

Kelsey Plum was born on August 24, 1994, in Poway, California. She showed athletic talent early, growing up in a sports-focused family. Her mother, Katie, played volleyball at UC Davis. Her father, Jim, played football and baseball at San Diego State. Her older sisters, Kaitlyn and Lauren, played college volleyball, and her younger brother, Daniel, played college football.

Plum went to La Jolla Country Day School, where she stood out in basketball. She scored 2,247 points, averaging 19.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in 113 games. She led her team to a 103-22 record, winning four section titles and the 2012 CIF Division IV state championship. She earned honors like Max Preps All-American, USA Today All-American, WBCA All-American, McDonald’s All-American, and was named California’s Ms. Basketball.

Plum’s college career at Washington was historic. As a freshman, she scored 712 points, setting school and Pac-12 freshman records. She earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Pac-12 honors. She made 203 free throws in a season and averaged 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. After winning U-19 World Championship gold with Team USA in 2013, she flew to Seattle for summer school and joined her team, earning a captain role as a freshman.

By her senior year, Plum became the NCAA Division I women’s all-time leading scorer with 3,527 points. She set the single-season scoring record with 1,109 points, averaging 31.7 points per game. She won all major player of the year awards, including the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, Wade Trophy, Nancy Lieberman Award, and AP Player of the Year. Washington retired her No. 10 jersey. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 2017, graduating with a 3.3 GPA.

WNBA Journey and Championship Success

Kelsey Plum went pro as the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars. Both NBA and WNBA first picks came from the same school that year, a first in history. She averaged 8.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds as a rookie, making the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

In 2018, the Stars moved to Las Vegas, becoming the Aces. Plum improved her stats, but the team missed the playoffs. In 2019, the Aces made the playoffs, with Plum scoring double digits in points during the run.

In June 2020, Plum tore her Achilles, missing the entire season. She returned in 2021 off the bench, averaging 14.8 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1 steal per game, earning WNBA Sixth Player of the Year.

In 2022, she became a starter, hitting career highs: 20.2 points, 5.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 42% from three. She made her first All-Star Game as a starter, was named MVP, and led the Aces to their first WNBA championship. In 2023, she helped the Aces win back-to-back championships.

In January 2025, Plum joined the Los Angeles Sparks in a three-team trade. She praised the Sparks for treating her well and teamed up with Cameron Brink. By August 2025, she broke the Sparks’ single-season made threes record.

Internationally, Plum played for Fenerbahçe (2017–2019) and Galatasaray (2022), winning Turkish league titles and a cup. These stints paid around $100,000–$120,000 per season and boosted her skills.

Contracts and Net Worth

Kelsey Plum net worth is around $2 million in 2025, from WNBA pay, overseas earnings, and endorsements.

Her rookie WNBA contract paid $50,000 in 2017. In 2020, she signed a three-year extension worth $423,250, averaging $141,083 per year. In 2022, she signed a two-year extension for $400,000, averaging $200,000 per year. Her total WNBA earnings through 2024 are $933,759.

After joining the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025, she signed a one-year, fully guaranteed contract for $202,000. This is high in the league, though below the supermax of $249,244. She chose not to play in the Unrivaled League, which pays an average of $222,222, to prioritize rest and personal time, like other top stars such as A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.

Off-Court Ventures and Impact

Beyond basketball and endorsements, Kelsey Plum has made an impact through coaching, camps, and advocacy.

In 2020, she worked as a graduate assistant coach for the Arkansas women’s team, helping them to a 19-9 record. She also founded the “Dawg Class” Basketball Camp to mentor young female guards on and off the court. In 2025, the camp expanded to Phoenix with support from Under Armour.

Plum is a strong voice for mental health. She has spoken about living with dyslexia, facing bullying, and her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. She credits her Christian faith for helping her through those times. Her “Keep the faith” tattoo, added in 2018, is a daily reminder of that journey.

In her personal life, Plum married NFL tight end Darren Waller in March 2023. They divorced in April 2024 after one year, citing irreconcilable differences. She said she was devastated but grateful for her family and friends, choosing to move forward with joy.

Future Prospects and Legacy

Kelsey Plum’s financial outlook remains strong, with clear room for growth. Rising WNBA salaries put her in position to earn a future max contract, while overseas play could continue to bring in six-figure paychecks.

Her brand value is rising with her social media reach, making her a top choice for deals in sportswear, lifestyle, and fashion. Beyond playing, she could move into coaching or media, both of which offer stable and lucrative paths.

Plum’s story marked by personal struggle, record-breaking college success, two WNBA titles, and an Olympic gold medal shows what is possible for women in sports today. Her mix of skill, focus, and resilience has made her more than an athlete. With the Los Angeles Sparks, she begins another chapter, one that will likely strengthen both her legacy and her influence on and off the court.