Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum has elected not to participate in Unrivaled, delivering a blow to the new 3-on-3 women’s league set to debut Jan. 17.
“I’ve decided to not take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason,” Plum posted to Instagram on Thursday. “I appreciate the league understanding and being so accommodating. I wish the league and all of the players nothing but the best and I’m excited to watch!”
Plum had been named to the roster of the Laces, one of the league’s six teams. Other Laces players expected to take the court for coach Andrew Wade are Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx), Kate Martin (Aces) and Stefanie Dolson (Washington Mystics).
According to the report, Plum’s decision leaves the league three players short of filling out six full rosters. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark declined an invitation to participate after she was offered a reported seven-figure salary.
Unrivaled’s season runs until March, with the next WNBA season set to begin in early May.
Plum, 30, not only played in 44 WNBA games this season, counting playoffs, she also was a member of Team USA, which won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
In 38 regular-season games last season, Plum averaged 17.8 points with 4.2 assists while earning her third consecutive All-Star selection. In seven career seasons, she has averaged 14.3 points with 4.0 assists in 235 games.
In addition to Unrivaled co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, reigning rebounding leader Angel Reese, second-leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale and several other WNBA All-Stars are set to play. Others include Aliyah Boston, Jewell Loyd, Dearica Hamby, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Griner.
TNT will handle broadcasting duties, with games also appearing on TruTV and streamed on Max. TNT will air games on Monday and Friday nights, with Saturday night games airing on TruTV.
–Field Level Media