Kelsey Plum abruptly pulls out of Unrivaled League
Kelsey Plum is calling an audible when it comes to her participation in the new Unrivaled League.
The Las Vegas Ace star was drafted by the Laces on Oct. 20 and a week later announced she would no longer be playing in the 3×3 league founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier.
“I’ve decided not to take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason,” Plum wrote in a social media post on Wednesday. “I appreciate the league understanding and being so accommodating. I wish the league and the players nothing but the best and I’m excited to watch.”
Plum had been among a large number of the WNBA’s high-profile players, including Brittney Griner, Angel Reese, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd and Stewart among others are set to take part in the league, which begins play in January 2025 in Miami. The average salary is expected to be around $250,000.
Fever star and WNBA rookie of the year Caitlin Clark, the Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu and the Ace’s A’ja Wilson also declined an invitation to play in the league.
Plum, 25, was set to play with the Lynx’s Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, Aces teammate Kate Martin, Sun star Alyssa Thomas, and Mystics center Stephanie Dolson in the 3×3 league.
The three-time WNBA All-Star, who won two championships with the Aces, is coming off a season in which she averaged 17.8 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Las Vegas fell to the Liberty 3-1 in the semifinals.
Plum will now take some extra time to rest up and prep for next season as the Aces look to regain their WNBA crown after the Liberty stopped their bid for a three-peat.