Tag: Kelsey Plum

Kelsey Plum prematurely congratulates Caitlin Clark on setting all-time scoring mark

Oops. Kelsey Plum prematurely congratulated Caitlin Clark on breaking the women’s college basketball all-time scoring record at Nebraska.

For three quarters, it looked like No. 2 Iowa was headed for another nice road win over Nebraska.

It also looked like Hawkeye superstar Caitlin Clark was sprinting toward breaking the all-time women’s college basketball scoring record.

Entering the fourth quarter, Iowa led Nebraska comfortably, 69-55. Clark already had 31 points and was eight points away from setting the all-time mark.

Then, Clark and Iowa went cold and Nebraska got red-hot. Clark shot 0-for-6 in the fourth quarter and was held scoreless as the Hawkeyes were outscored 27-10 by the Huskers in the game’s final frame in a shocking 82-79 road loss.

At times, it definitely felt like Iowa and Clark were intentionally looking for other Hawkeyes to score so Clark could set the record at home this coming Thursday versus Michigan.

If there’s anything to that, Iowa definitely paid the price.

Before all of that madness went down, the current all-time women’s college basketball record holder, former Washington Huskies guard Kelsey Plum, took to social media to congratulate Clark on setting the new record mark.

Oops. Talk about a jinx, Kelsey.

Honestly, though, who can really blame Plum? It certainly looked and felt like Clark was on cruise control to the record if she wanted it and that Iowa was headed toward another key road win. Plus, it was a heartfelt, kind message that Plum shared.

But, obviously it aged poorly for Hawkeye fans.

Give Plum credit, though. She quickly owned the mistake.

Just like she was entering the fourth quarter at Nebraska, Clark is eight points away from setting the new all-time mark. It shouldn’t take long versus Michigan on Thursday for Clark to officially grab the all-time scoring crown.

After what unfolded on Sunday, there’s plenty of Hawkeye fans that will be happy to have Clark enjoy her moment and then to focus on just winning basketball games again.

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Kelsey Plum has a warning for Caitlin Clark ahead of breaking the NCAA scoring record

Kelsey Plum has a poignant message for Caitlin Clark supporters.

Kelsey Plum wants greatness for Caitlin Clark, but she says she needs to be prepared for what comes after the records fall.

Caitlin Clark is college basketball royalty personified. She is the heartbeat of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball, and after a mind-blowing run during the 2023 NCAA Tournament, she’s a household name. Hoops fans are all in on whatever Clark does, including ridiculous shots and State Farm commercials. But, heavy is the head that wears the crown, something Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum knows all too well.

While Plum is a two-time WNBA champion, she says transitioning from college to the pros was difficult. With her all-time NCAA scoring record (3,527) on pace to be broken by Clark this season, she’s warning her of what comes next.

Per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Plum expressed concern about who Caitlin Clark is as a person getting lost in the shuffle of earning the scoring title:

“I feel like people started caring less about the game and more about just the individual points,” Plum said. “You can play really well and score 15, 20 points and have a great game and people will be like, ‘Aw, it was only a 20-point game.’ It was tough for me because I felt like I lost a little bit of my identity and it ultimately led to a tough transition into the (WNBA) because the expectations were so high. So, if anything, I’d try to send her as much compassion and love as I can and I hope the people around her are checking in with her … because it’s going to be tough to feel like you’re just playing basketball.”

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark holds top-spot for most 30 point games, surpassing Kelsey Plum

The last player to hold the record is current WNBA Las Vegas Aces player Kelsey Plum.

Iowa pushed past Drake on Sunday night, 113-90, to walk away with a win at home. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark had 35 points and tallied a career-high seven steals to lead the team, along with 10 assists and six rebounds.

This was Clark’s 39th career 30-point game, which put her in the top spot for most 30-point games by a D-I player over the last 25 seasons. The last player to hold the record is current WNBA Las Vegas Aces player Kelsey Plum.

“We came out playing Iowa basketball — high assists, low turnovers,” said Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder. “I thought our energy level was a lot better out there tonight. We were more focused. We scored the most points in program history in the first half, that was pretty fun. Obviously, we shot the ball pretty well, but I was happy with our 3-point defense.

“Drake averages almost 12 3s a game, and we held them to 26% 3-point shooting average, and they were averaging over 40%. I thought that was big for us. Kate Martin had a special game for us and played tonight like she was playing in the summer, and I love to see that. Caitlin had a double-double in 30 minutes of play, and also broke the NCAA record for most 30-point games. I love the fact we forced 22 turnovers tonight as well.”

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Kelsey Plum explained why she wants other WNBA teams to be sick of her

Kelsey Plum said she wants all the smoke.

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum is a cigar-smoking WNBA champion, and she likes it that way.

The former Washington Husky and California native has spent six seasons in the WNBA, making a lane for herself that was built from sweat, hustle, and grind. Since 2021, Plum has added Sixth Player of the Year, All-WNBA First Team, WNBA All-Star, and two-time champ to her impressive accolades.

Ahead of the holiday season, Plum is now taking her elite game to shopping lanes by partnering with DICK’S Sporting Goods for their Holiday Sprint contest. The promo gives one lucky fan a chance to be Plum’s teammate as they grab up to $5,000 worth of gear.

“I’m hyped about it. I am taking this very seriously. I’ll be wearing the proper attire. I’m going to be hydrated,” Plum told For The Win. “I will leave no food on the table. We are going HAM in the store.”

Ahead of USA Basketball’s training camp in Atlanta that starts on November 7, Plum spoke with For The Win about what makes the Aces’ championship team so unique, why the WNBA expanding matters, and why it’s her mission to make sure other teams are absolutely sick of her.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb responds to Aces’ Kelsey Plum’s superteam dig: ‘This is a team personified’

Don’t tell the New York Liberty they’re not a team.

New York Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb says he respects Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum but took her recent comments personally.

Kelsey Plum will speak her mind if you haven’t figured it out. You could be Tom Brady, part of the group that signs her checks, and Plum will still give you hell.

On October 6th, two days before the WNBA Finals started, she was asked her thoughts on the recent conversations about the Aces and the Liberty being superteams. Both teams have been mentioned because of the talent their rosters have.

Plum didn’t think the narrative fit her team.

The star guard rejected the superteam label, saying, “Those of us who are homegrown players, every year, we’ve seen growth.”

Yet, Plum wasn’t done. She had more to say after the Aces won their recent title over the Liberty: “You can’t build a superteam in a couple of months. It takes years.”

Then, Plum doubled down again. Per Alex Smith of Yahoo Sports, Plum drove a message home:

“We also knew that, as much as they’re a team, they’re not a team, if that makes sense. They’re really good individual players, but they don’t care about each other. And you can tell in those moments. They revert back to individual basketball.”

Whew.

During the Liberty’s exit interviews Friday, Kolb was asked about Plum’s comments. He delivered a subtly fiery but ultimately measured response.

“The fact of the matter is that this is a team,” Kolb said. “If you’re around these players day in and day out, they truly care about one another.”

He continued but clarified his point: “This is absolutely a team. It’s a team personified.”

The Liberty are fighting hard to defend their reputation, but with a Finals loss and a new fine from the WNBA, the off-season might not be moving fast enough for them to get to the healing they need.

Kelsey Plum took a playful dig at Tom Brady during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals: ‘It’s about [expletive] time you showed up’

Your seven Super Bowl Rings mean nothing, Tom Brady!

In the words of Bone Crusher, Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum ain’t never scared. Even one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time, Tom Brady, isn’t safe.

Plum has earned a reputation around the WNBA for unapologetically saying what she thinks. Earlier this year, she defended fellow teammate A’ja Wilson on Showtime’s All The Smoke podcast in response to the respect she thinks Wilson deserved. Plum named a laundry list of Wilson’s accomplishments and, without flinching, said, “She gets shorted all the time.” Cold-blooded.

But that’s how Plum and the Aces roll. They aren’t scared of anyone, and en route to a huge WNBA Finals Game 1 victory over the New York Liberty, Plum stopped to make sure she had words with one of the team’s owners.

According to Jack Maloney of CBS Sports, that owner was future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who was sitting courtside.

Post-game, Plum says she walked up to Brady during the matchup and told him, “It’s about [expletive] time you showed up.” Brady reportedly responded with, “You already know.”

(Warning: NSFW language in the media below.)

In explaining the conversation, Plum clarified that she was joking and appreciated Brady’s support: “Just super excited for his investment in our franchise and understanding what that means for us, and not just us, but the league. And putting eyes on us.”

Reflective, Plum followed up with, “I joke around, but man, it’s been awesome to have him, and I know he cares.”

Of course, Plum’s words made their way back to social media, prompting the seven-time Super Bowl winner to respond.

This is awesome, but I can’t help but wonder: In a 3-point shootout, who wins between Plum and Brady? We already know Brady is good at basketball, and I’d be willing to bet he’d give Plum a run for her money.

Somebody make this happen! Do it, “Tommy B” (the “B” stands for buckets).

I’ll show myself out now.

WNBA playoffs predictions: Will the Liberty crush the Aces’ chances of winning back-to-back?

For basketball heads everywhere, the WNBA playoffs are an out-of-body experience.

The WNBA playoffs are here. This is when regular season records mean nothing, and wins mean everything. It’s buzzer beaters, emphatically blocked shots, “what did I just see?” moments and scoring so good you’ll need a pulse check.

For basketball heads everywhere, this is an out-of-body experience. The level of play is elevated, and so are the expectations.

Will the Lynx fly too close to the Sun? (See what I did there?) Will the Liberty crush the Aces’ chances of winning back-to-back titles?

Who wins? Who’s out?

These are your 2023 WNBA playoff predictions:

WNBA expansion could come in 2025, but some players believe charter flights are more important

While many believe expansion is a long time coming, some players believe there are more important items on the to-do list.

The WNBA’s viewership is steadily rising and its media rights deal is up for renegotiation after the 2025 season. In light of this, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert shared updated information with the media on league expansion.

“Obviously, we’re working very hard on expansion,” Engelbert told reporters on Sunday. “This is really something I think we need to do, not just because of opening up potentially 12-24 roster spots, but also with a league that’s the longest-tenured women’s professional league in the country by double any other. We need more than 12 teams.”

As per an article by Front Office Sports, the 10 cities under consideration include the Bay Area, Nashville, Toronto, Austin, Denver, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Portland.

“We need to be in some big cities in this country where all of our data and information shows that there are some great markets for WNBA basketball,” Engelbert said. “We’re excited, capitalizing off NCAA popularity, and, hopefully, to talk more about that as we get further into the season this year.”

While many believe expansion is a long time coming, some players believe there are more important items on the to-do list that should be addressed first. At All-Star Weekend, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum addressed the media about charter flights and expansion.

“If you were to poll the players right now,” Plum said, “and ask if they’d rather have expansion or charter, I think it’s a pretty clear consensus across the board.”

Las Vegas teammate A’ja Wilson echoed Plum’s sentiments: “You need to take care of what you have now before you can expand and grow. I think that comes from the owners. I think we should put owners on the book and say, ‘Hey, put your money where your mouth is and protect your players.'”

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A’ja Wilson gave Tom Brady superfan Kelsey Plum some necessary advice after the QB purchased stake in Aces

Kelsey Plum should probably listen to her teammate on this one.

Tom Brady might be retired, but he isn’t straying too far from the sports world he knows and loves.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced Thursday that he purchased a stake in the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

Now, while a retired athlete purchasing a stake in another pro team isn’t something we’ve never seen before, Brady’s move is particularly funny because of the specific team he’s joining. If you remember, Aces star Kelsey Plum is huge Brady fan — so big, she barked at him during a game he was sitting courtside last season.

A full-circle moment, Plum was ecstatic to hear the latest news Thursday, but teammate A’ja Wilson had some timely and hilarious advice for her.

A word to the wise, indeed.

It’s probably not a good idea to bark at your employer. Though with Brady’s background as a fiery competitor known for barking at his own teammates, he might actually respect it.

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Tom Brady is beginning retired life by purchasing an ownership stake in WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces

Tom Brady is joining another championship team.

After winning seven championships in the NFL, five-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady is joining another champion.

The 45-year-old former quarterback has reportedly purchased an ownership stake in the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces are the reigning champions in the WNBA and the majority owner of the franchise is Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis.

Brady’s purchase is still subject to the approval of the WNBA’s league office and his minority stake is for an undisclosed amount. But his new affiliation with the team should have a positive impact on the organization.

He posted a video confirming the report:

Brady spoke about why he decided to get involved:

“It was a matter of time before I was back in the building with some of the greatest athletes in the world and I grew up with three older sisters. They were all incredible athletes in their own right. They were role models for me. It’s where my love of women’s sports began.”

Brady attended a game in Las Vegas last summer and watched Aces star Kelsey Plum score 18 points. He then sent her an autographed jersey and her reaction was priceless.

The Aces, coached by WNBA Coach of the Year Becky Hammon, have an incredible roster for next season.

WNBA All-Star MVP Plum is joined by two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker, two-time WNBA MVP A’Ja Wilson, WNBA Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, and WNBA Most Improved Player Jackie Young.

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