Kelsey Plum has decided not to participate in the upcoming Unrivaled league this offseason. The Las Vegas Aces standout announced on her Instagram story that she will be opting out of the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, scheduled to begin in Miami in January.
“I’ve decided to not take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason,” she said. “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.”
Kelsey Plum announces she’s dropping out of Unrivaled, which was slated to feature 36 players and now presumably has 3 spots left.
The offseason league, set to tipoff in Miami in Jan., is now down to four Aces players: Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin. pic.twitter.com/rKmuLaMYDj
— Callie Fin (@CallieJLaw) November 28, 2024
Plum was set to play for the Laces with Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Stefanie Dolson, and Kate Martin, coached by Andrew Wade. It remains uncertain who will take Plum’s spot on the roster, as well as the remaining two spots in the 36-player league.
Other Aces players Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes, and Kate Martin are also participating in the league.
Unrivaled is scheduled to begin play in January in Miami. Originally planned for 30 WNBA players, the league expanded to 36 players in October. The teams will play 14 games each, and the season will conclude with a single-elimination Final Four tournament. Games will be played on a 70-foot court with an 18-second shot clock and three seven-minute periods. Additionally, there will be an All-Star event and a one-on-one tournament.
The league has secured a media rights deal with TNT to broadcast 45 games, and players will earn a minimum of $100,000 for the season. Plum joins other WNBA stars who have opted out of participating. Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, who was rumored to be involved, won’t be playing in the inaugural season.
Plum, a three-time WNBA All-Star, averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists with the Aces last season. The 30-year-old was the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and has helped her team win two WNBA titles. Despite their playoff elimination last season, the Aces were aiming for a historic third consecutive championship.
Unrivaled officially kicks off on Jan. 17.
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