Kelsey Plum Lands Core Qualifying Offer from Sparks Monday marked the first day WNBA teams could designate core tags and extend qualifying offers to free agents, setting the stage for significant roster moves ahead of the official free agency period, which begins Wednesday. The Los Angeles Sparks emerged as a key player in the early action by extending a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Plum, a pivotal move that underscores the team’s commitment to retaining its star guard. The offer, which grants the Sparks exclusive negotiating rights during free agency, starts at the new supermax salary of approximately $1.5 million under the updated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While core designations automatically last one year, the Sparks and Plum have the flexibility to negotiate a longer contract if both parties agree. The core designation is a critical component of the CBA, designed to protect key players from being poached by rival teams during free agency. By securing Plum’s exclusive rights, the Sparks aim to stabilize their roster and build on the progress made during her first season with the franchise. Plum’s inclusion as a core player also reflects her status as one of the league’s premier scorers and playmakers, with her performance last season solidifying her value to the team. In addition to Plum’s core offer, the Sparks extended reserved qualifying offers to three other free agents: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, and Alissa Pili. These offers, which provide the team with exclusive negotiating rights, are set at the league minimum salary of approximately $270,000 under the new CBA. While these players are not yet locked into long-term contracts, the offers give the Sparks leverage to retain them if they meet the team’s expectations.#los_angeles_sparks #kelsey_plum #wnba #collective_bargaining_agreement #core_designation
Kelsey Plum Signs One-Year Deal to Return to Los Angeles Sparks Four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time champion Kelsey Plum has signed a one-year, $999,999 contract to return to the Los Angeles Sparks, according to sources who shared the details with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday. The deal marks Plum’s return to the Sparks after a single season with the San Antonio Stars/Las Vegas Aces franchise, where she spent her entire career prior to this move. The decision to accept a discounted rate instead of the projected $1.4 million supermax was made to provide the Sparks with financial flexibility to construct a roster capable of competing for a championship. Plum, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 assists during her first season with the Sparks in 2024. Her arrival in Los Angeles was significant, as she became the team’s clear-cut star and a key figure in the effort to revive the franchise. The Sparks, one of the WNBA’s original teams, have not advanced past the playoffs since 2020, marking the longest active playoff drought in the league. Plum’s return aims to help the organization reclaim its storied status and end this extended dry spell. Prior to joining the Sparks, Plum was a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Aces’ core that secured consecutive WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023. She was drafted No. 1 overall in 2017 by the Aces, who later rebranded as the Sparks in 2024. Her tenure with the Aces included holding the NCAA scoring record (3,527 points) before Caitlin Clark surpassed it in 2024. Plum’s contributions to the Aces’ success were pivotal, but her decision to pivot to the Sparks reflects her desire to challenge for titles in a new environment. Plum’s career is defined by accolades and versatility.#shams_charania #los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #kelsey_plum #san_antonio_stars
Caitlin Clark delivers standout performance as USA Basketball dominates Spain in FIBA World Cup qualifier Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the United States women’s national team, showcased her elite skills during a decisive 84-70 victory over Spain in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. The 24-year-old averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists across the Americans’ five-game qualifying campaign, with her contributions pivotal in securing a perfect 5-0 record. In the matchup against Spain, Clark tallied 7 points and 7 assists, complementing the efforts of team leaders Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum, who scored 20 and 18 points respectively. The game unfolded with the U.S. maintaining a commanding lead throughout, highlighted by Clark’s dynamic playmaking. In the first quarter, Clark opened the scoring with a three-pointer and two free throws, finishing with 2 assists as the U.S. built an early 8-5 advantage. Her ability to transition the ball quickly was evident when she delivered a long pass to Paige Bueckers during a critical moment in the second quarter. By halftime, the U.S. led 44-32, with Kelsey Plum leading the charge with 10 points. Clark’s impact continued in the third quarter, where she assisted Kahleah Copper and Paige Buckers on three-pointers while also recording a steal. Her playmaking prowess was on full display as the U.S. extended its lead to 61-47 by the end of the third period. The final quarter saw the Americans cruise to victory, with Clark’s composure and leadership helping the team secure the win. The U.S. team, already qualified for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Germany, used the tournament to prepare younger players for future international competitions.#usa_basketball #kelsey_plum #caitlin_clark #fiba_world_cup #kahleah_copper
USA Women's Basketball Dominates Spain in FIBA Qualifier The United States women’s basketball team secured a resounding 84-70 victory over Spain on Tuesday, completing a flawless 5-0 performance in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The win solidified the Americans’ dominance in the competition, with standout performances from key players like Kahleah Copper, Kelsey Plum, and Caitlin Clark. Copper led the team with 20 points, while Plum added 18 and Dearica Hamby contributed 14. Caitlin Clark, known for her playmaking, recorded seven points and seven assists, showcasing her impact on both ends of the court. Paige Bueckers also played a role, scoring nine points to bolster the team’s offensive output. The victory marked the culmination of a successful tournament for the U.S. squad, which had already defeated Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, and New Zealand. Head coach Kara Lawson, who previously coached Duke University’s women’s team, guided the squad to a perfect record. The tournament, part of the path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, saw the U.S. team maintain its high level of play throughout the competition. The final game against Spain was a testament to the team’s depth and preparation, with the Americans maintaining a commanding lead from the outset. The U.S. team’s schedule in Puerto Rico included a series of high-scoring wins, with notable margins such as 110-46 against Senegal and 101-46 against New Zealand. The final showdown against Spain saw the Americans take control early, with a 12-point lead at halftime and a 20-point advantage by the end of the third quarter. The final score of 84-70 underscored the team’s ability to execute under pressure and capitalize on opportunities.#kelsey_plum #usa_women_basketball #fiba_qualifier #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark
WNBA star Kelsey Plum launches a verified AI digital twin Kelsey Plum, the WNBA player who scored 40 points in the finals of the Unrivaled season, is expanding her influence with the creation of a verified AI digital twin. The project, announced on her Instagram account on March 6, allows fans to interact with an AI version of the Los Angeles Sparks star. Plum’s twin, developed in partnership with Talk2Me, an AI communications company, is the first verified digital twin for a professional female athlete. The initiative has been praised as a way for women in sports to maintain control over their public image and engage with fans beyond traditional platforms. Plum’s AI twin is designed to connect with fans, offering one-on-one conversations when she is unavailable. “In the arena, I can only talk to so many people at one time, so the next best thing would be to log on and have a one-on-one conversation,” she explained. The twin’s personality is tailored to reflect Plum’s voice, enabling her to respond to fan inquiries and share insights. Talk2Me CEO Randy Adams highlighted the cultural and business significance of the project, calling Plum a pioneer who “moved things from a business standpoint and a cultural standpoint.” The development of digital twins represents a shift in how celebrities and athletes engage with their audiences. Nilesh Ashra, founder of OK Tomorrow, noted that this approach is part of a broader trend, moving from writing books to creating coaching programs and now digital twins. “Brand-new world is a digital twin,” Ashra said, emphasizing the potential for AI to expand reach. However, he also acknowledged risks, such as unpredictable AI behavior, as models are inherently nondeterministic. Despite the excitement, some users have raised concerns about the implications of AI-driven interactions.#kelsey_plum #talk2me #unrivaled #nilesh_ashra #alex_bazzell
Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller's Divorce: A Tale of Two Careers and Emotional Struggles The marriage between Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum and NFL tight end Darren Waller ended abruptly after just 13 months. The couple finalized their divorce in April 2024, following a private ceremony in Las Vegas on March 4, 2023. Their split coincided with significant career milestones, as Plum led her team to consecutive WNBA championships while Waller transitioned to a new NFL team. The divorce process became public, with Plum describing the experience as emotionally devastating. She revealed that the breakdown of their marriage felt like a "nightmare" that left her "broken." In a statement, Plum admitted she had not anticipated the public nature of the divorce, which she said exposed her vulnerabilities. "Going through a very public divorce is something I was not expecting," she said, adding that the experience left her feeling "like the rug got taken out from under me." To cope, she deleted social media, switched to a new phone, and turned to reading her Bible, acknowledging that the emotional impact would linger. Waller’s personal struggles also played a role in the split. In November 2023, he was hospitalized for a life-threatening emergency, which prompted him to reflect on his relationship patterns and self-identity. During an interview with "The Breakfast Club," he discussed his feelings of inadequacy in relationships, stating that he often tied his worth to the success of his partnerships. "I feel like I got to dance or do a certain thing to keep this person around," he said, explaining how this mindset led to a loss of self. He admitted that the relationship had become a source of emotional baggage, preventing him from making authentic decisions about his life.#miami_dolphins #new_york_giants #kelsey_plum #darren_waller #las_vegas_aces
