The Role of Kelsey Plum in Shaping a Young Sparks Team
In the WNBA offseason, a lot of changes have been put in motion. One of which was Kelsey Plum being involved in a multi-team deal that brought her to Los Angeles with the LA Sparks. The Sparks are currently a young team, looking to improve their playoff chances and they believe with the addition of Plum they will be successful. Plum is looking to be of great significance to the future of the Sparks.
Kelsey Plum is no slouch, she leaves behind the Las Vegas Aces with whom she has won two championships with in 2022 and 2023. Just this past season, Plum was a top contributor for the championship caliber Aces. The five-foot-eight guard averaged almost thirty minutes, 17.8 points and 4.2 assists. Las Vegas is where Plum gained fame as they were winning and showed their personalities to fans. However, Plum played a more subdued role because of Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson who are stars in their own right.
In a recent introductory press conference, Plum expressed that she wants to be the leader of a team. She gushes, “I’ve been chomping at the bit to get the opportunity to lead, and to show who I am as a player on a different scale.” The Sparks have had their struggles with the backcourt in the past seasons. Plum joining them means that she would move into a point guard position and play more minutes. She also expressed that she wants to be in the top-five in assists. To accomplish this feat she will have to earn over six assists, which may seem daunting but she will be passing to the open hands of Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, and Rickea Jackson in the frontcourt.
All in all, Kelsey Plum has the opportunity to illustrate a sweet story with the Sparks. She hails from Poway, California, just two hours south of Los Angeles. This is not only a return to home for Plum but also a full-circle moment as she will play in Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center, where Kobe Bryant played. Bryant is one of Plum’s favorite players who also acknowledged Plum’s accomplishments in the game. Now, as she returns to Southern California the personal stakes will be high as she strives for success with the Sparks.
