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Posts tagged as “Kelsey Plum”

Ionescu, Plum, and Mitchell Among Stars “Cored” for 2026 WNBA

April 8, 2026

Alexa Philippou, writing for ESPN;

Ten of 15 WNBA teams have extended core qualifying offers to players since free agency started Monday.

Players who have been “cored” — akin to being given the NFL’s franchise tag — include Sabrina Ionescu, by the New York Liberty; Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx); Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever); Kelsey Plum, (Los Angeles Sparks); and Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings).

The core designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights to a player and comes with a baseline contract of a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax ($1.4 million in 2026), though the player can negotiate different terms.

Here’s the full list of cored players, via @alexaphilippou

  • Atlanta: Allisha Gray
  • Chicago: Ariel Atkins
  • Dallas: Arike Ogunbowale
  • Indiana: Kelsey Mitchell
  • LA: Kelsey Plum
  • Minnesota: Napheesa Collier
  • NY: Sabrina Ionescu
  • Portland: Bridget Carleton
  • Seattle: Ezi Magbegor
  • Toronto: Marina Mabrey

U.S. Women’s National Team edges pesky Spain to finish 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers undefeated (84 -70)

March 18, 2026

The U.S. Women’s National Team officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIBA World Cup with an exclamation point, grinding out a hard-fought 84–70 victory over a resilient Spain. The win over the “pesky” Spaniards in their final qualifying match, the Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 5–0 record, proving they remain the gold standard of women’s international basketball.

From the opening tip, Spain’s signature defensive pressure disrupted the U.S. rhythm, leading to eight lead changes and 3 times that both team tied. Spain was led by the interior duo of Megan Gustafson and Raquel Carrera, who each dropped 15 points to keep the contest within striking distance. However, the depth of the U.S. roster eventually wore down the Spanish frontline, building a 12 point lead by the end of the first half and a 14-point margin at the start of the 4th qtr.

The momentum shifted permanently in the third quarter thanks to the explosive play of Kahleah Copper, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Her ability to attack the rim blew the game open, while veteran Kelsey Plum provided much-needed stability with 18 points, including a critical 11–0 solo run that silenced the Spanish bench.

Defensively, Dearica Hamby was the anchor, contributing 14 points and a game-high three steals that fueled the American transition game. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark—who was ultimately named Tournament MVP—controlled the tempo with seven assists and a highlight-reel block, ensuring the U.S. maintained its composure during Spain’s final fourth-quarter push.

With this undefeated cycle complete, the U.S. now shifts its focus toward the World Cup in Berlin this September. The team’s coach Nate Tibbetts’ squad heads into the main event not just as favorites, but as a battle-tested unit that has proven it can handle the heat when the stakes are highest.

Checkout the game highlights below:

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Announces Star-Studded Roster for December Training Camp at Duke

November 25, 2025

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team just announce the 18-player roster for its upcoming training camp, scheduled for December 12-14 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The camp’s 18-player roster is a mix of championship experience and rising talent. Headlining the group are five 2024 Olympic gold medalists: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. Joined by Dearica Hamby, a bronze medalist from the 2024 3×3 Olympic competition. Other accomplished veterans include 2022 FIBA World Cup champion Brionna Jones.

The camp will also mark the senior National Team debut for ten highly anticipated young players: Lauren Betts, Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese, and JuJu Watkins. Many of these newcomers, including Aliyah Boston, already boast gold medals from various junior and youth international competitions. Kiki Iriafen will make her first appearance with USA Basketball. The roster also features numerous players with 3×3 experience, including Olympic medalists Plum and Young.

The training will be led by 2025-28 Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University). She will be supported by a veteran coaching staff featuring court coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries, 2025 WNBA COY), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury), and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever, 2023 WNBA COY).

Managing Director Sue Bird will use the camp to evaluate the athletes as the program begins preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, where the USA aims to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive gold medal.

ICYMI: Sparks Halt Fever’s Winning Streak (91 – 100)

August 7, 2025

The Los Angeles Sparks snapped the Indiana Fever’s five-game winning streak with a decisive 100-91 victory at the Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks’ potent offense was on full display, with Kelsey Plum and Rickea Jackson leading the charge, each scoring 25 points. Plum also dished out a game-high 11 assists, notching her second double-double of the season. Cameron Brink, playing her third game back from an injury, tied her career high with five blocks.

Indiana, who had been red-hot coming into the matchup, was led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 34 points and six assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sparks’ balanced attack and defense. The Fever got off to a strong start, taking a one-point lead after the first quarter (27-26), but Los Angeles took control with a 28-point second quarter and never looked back. While Indiana mounted a late comeback, trimming a 22-point deficit down to just six with two minutes left in the game (95-89), they were unable to overcome the Sparks’ lead.

Full Game Highlights

Indiana is on the tail-end of a five-game road trip, with their last game against the Phoenix Mercury this Thursday. The LA Sparks will also host the Connecticut Sun on Thursday.

ICYMI: Fever suffers another loss to Sparks (87 – 89)

July 8, 2025

After winning three games in a row, including their Commissioner’s Cup victory over the Lynx, and doing so without their star PG Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever were defeated by the LA Sparks in two consecutive games. Both were close games where neither team gained a lead larger than 8 points.

Azura Stevens led the Sparks with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and she also shot 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. Kelsey Plum added 20 points, and Dearica Hamby contributed 18 points and 4 assists.

The Fever had another strong defensive game with 33 rebounds, 3 steals, and 6 blocks. Indiana’s defensive effort was highlighted by Makayla Timpson’s block on Rickea Jackson at the end of the 1st quarter. Indiana led throughout the 4th quarter but was scoreless in the last 1:45 of the game. Aliyah Boston had one more chance to extend the game to overtime but missed a 21-foot pull-up jumper coming off a timeout.

Here’s the game high lights.

The Indiana Fever will host the Golden State Valkyries this Wednesday, while the LA Sparks will host the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, July 10th.

US Women’s Basketball Team Narrowly Escapes France for Women’s Basketball Gold at 2024 Paris Olympics (67 – 66)

August 12, 2024

It was a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics medal game, but the US Women’s Basketball team took care of business and claimed the gold medal in the Women’s 5×5 Basketball Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Unlike their male counterparts, the US women needed a bit of luck to secure the gold, as Gabby Williams’ buzzer-beating shot was just inches inside the three-point line, potentially sending the game to overtime.

A’ja Wilson led the team with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson also took have the MVP awards for the tournament. Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum contributed 12 points apiece, both going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

After clawing back from a 10-point deficit early in the third quarter, France kept the game close. However, Kelsey Plum’s offense and the team’s defense in the fourth quarter created a 3-point lead, ultimately securing the gold medal.

Gabby Williams led France with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Valeriane Ayayi and Marine Johannes added 9 points each, but no other French player scored more than 8 points. Fast break points (6-15), points in the paint (20-30), and bench points (20-29) were significant factors in France’s defeat.

Game stats;

Advance Stats from FIBA

Box Score from ESPN

Just like with the men’s basketball team, the United States and France could become regular rivals in Olympic women’s basketball medal games.