Kelsey Plum Makes Waves as LA Sparks’ New Star

LOS ANGELES — As Kelsey Plum entered her new basketball haven, the cameras were already poised to capture every moment. Crypto.com Arena’s Jumbotron displayed her entering the arena in a Spark jersey, her name scattered throughout the venue. She was greeted by a resounding applause during her introduction, marking her immediate arrival as a major star in Los Angeles.

A Star’s Arrival: Humility and Gratitude

Kelsey Plum’s first day in Los Angeles was a perfect representation of her bubbly personality and undeniable star potential. She made light of the traffic delays, thanked the media for attending, and appeared genuinely surprised by the fanfare surrounding her introductory press conference.

“I’m so grateful to be here,” Plum said. “I’m just in awe.”

The New Queen of the Sparks

Amid her humility, Plum’s talent is undeniable. She enters the team as the most accomplished player on the roster, having made the WNBA All-Star team for the last three seasons, winning two championships, claiming Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021, and leading Team USA to Olympic gold in Paris.

A Data-Driven Decision

The Sparks’ decision to trade their No. 2 pick to bring Plum to Los Angeles was a clear indication of their determination to win now. The team hasn’t made the playoffs in the past four seasons, and Plum’s addition is seen as a vital step towards changing that.

“We needed to improve our backcourt,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said.

The team’s backcourt has lacked consistency since the departure of Chelsea Gray in 2020, coincidentally the last time they made the playoffs. Plum’s impact is expected to mirror that of her former teammate Jewell Loyd, propelling the Sparks into playoff contention immediately.

“The style of basketball that we want to play, and the standard of excellence that the L.A. Sparks is and will continue to be, we just kept feeling like all roads pointed to Kelsey,” Pebley explained. “And we had zero hesitation in doing what it took to make sure Kelsey was sitting right here today.”

Key Player, Key Position

Plum is set to be central to the Sparks’ offense. Despite being recognized mostly as a shooting guard, she aims to contribute significantly as a facilitator.

“I’ve always been kind of shifted to the 2 guard because of my ability to shoot and play off the ball,” Plum said. “But the style of basketball we’re playing here is a little bit more positionless, allowing me to showcase my ability to get people involved. I plan to be top-five in assists this year.”

To hit the top-five assist mark, Plum would need to average 6.2 assists per game, up from her 4.2 last season. While not an insurmountable goal, it represents a significant improvement.

The Impact on Frontcourt

Plum envisions her role as a facilitator helping a strong frontcourt blossom into a playoff-contending unit.

“I think Cam Brink is a Defensive Player of the Year in the making,” Plum stated. “Rickea Jackson is an All-Star. Rae Burrell is one of the best two-way guards in the league. They’re all versatile, competitive, and hungry. In this league, your bigs will take you places. It’s the best frontcourt, hands down.”

Creating a Legacy

Plum believes her experience and leadership will elevate this young team, steering them towards titles and a spot in the playoffs.

Plum’s sense of connection to the_LA community extends beyond playing in Crypto.com Arena. She feels an instant sense of belonging, from airport workers cheering her on to fellow teammates and management welcoming her with open arms.

“I felt like an overwhelming sense of love,” Plum said. “The welcoming from my teammates and coach and ownership has been incredible.”

The Kobe Connection

Plum’s journey includes a nod to a beloved basketball icon. She has a special connection to legendary Lakers player Kobe Bryant, who had a deep appreciation for women’s basketball.

Bryant often praised Plum’s skills on Twitter and congratulated her after she broke the NCAA all-time scoring record at the University of Washington.

In a defining moment, Bryant’s daughter and their AAU team visited Plum’s team in Las Vegas, with Bryant sending his daughter to study Plum’s game.

After the press conference, Plum shared an exclusive moment with Breakaway about her encounter with Bryant.

“I got to meet Kobe,” she recalled. “He said that one of his players is a lefty, and showed her my film. It was like a perfect day.”

Plum grew up in Poway, California, close to Los Angeles. The chance to play in the city where Bryant once dominated means the world to her.

The Sparks now have a player who has been blessed and mentored by a basketball legend, setting a high standard for her tenure with the team.

A Full-Circle Moment

For Plum, it feels like coming home. Playing in the city she grew up in, with her own opportunities to inspire future generations, symbolizes the circle completing.

There will be young players all over California wearing her jersey, following her journey, and learning from her success. The goal aligns with the legacy of greats like Kobe: win titles and raise banners in Crypto.com Arena.

Looking to the Future

Plum’s addition to the LA Sparks marks a new era in women’s basketball. With a roster equipped for greatness, the Sparks’ chances of making the playoffs and winning championships are better than ever.

The building’s name may have changed, but the standards remain: win titles, raise banners, and leave a lasting legacy.

Join us as we follow Plum’s journey with the LA Sparks and her impact on the future of women’s basketball.