When compiling a list of the superstars in the WNBA, Kelsey Plum‘s name sits close to the top of the list. She is one of the most decorated collegiate players ever, an Olympic gold medalist, and a two-time WNBA champion with three consecutive All-Star appearances.
When Caitlin Clark set the sports world on fire by breaking the all-time scoring record at Iowa, Plum was the player she was chasing. Off the court, she has endorsement deals with Under Armour, Target, Skims, and Google. She routinely stars in commercials and was formerly married to an NFL star.
Plum deserves the respect and the whistle that comes with being one of the faces of the league, and she feels slighted.
In the Sparks‘ brutal overtime loss to the Golden State Valkyries, Plum’s frustration with the officials reached a breaking point. She finished the night with a game-high 24 points and seven assists, but much of her scoring output came from high difficulty three-pointers. She could have had an even bigger night and escaped with a win, but every time she entered the paint, a swarm of bodies came crashing around her.
During the loss, Plum went to the charity stripe once while penetrating towards the basket, leading to visible frustration on the court, followed by a postgame rant when addressing the media.
“I drive more than anyone in the league,” said Plum. “I got scratches on my face, I got scratches on my body, and these guards on the other team get these ticky-tack fouls, and I am sick of it. I get fouled like that on every possession, and they don’t call it. I don’t know what else to do.”
Plum hit what could have been an iconic contested step-back three-point game winner to put Los Angeles up by two with 37 seconds left, and the Valkaryies were able to extend the game with two free throws on a questionable non-shooting foul on the other end of the court.
“There are multiple shots at the end of the game where they are just coming in and swinging, and they just don’t call anything. Six free throws when I play over 40 minutes, touching the paint almost every play, is absurd. I will get fined for this, which is okay, and I need to make more late-game shots, but they are fouling me every single play, and I am sick of it. I don’t know what I need to do. I talk nicely to the refs and pray before the game, and I am over it,” Plum continued.
Her complaint is valid. As the primary scorer and ball handler on her team, the defense is extra aggressive, trying to slow her down, and of all the players in the WNBA averaging at least 20 points per game this season, Plum ranks dead last with 5.6 free throw attempts a night. For comparison, Brittney Sykes of the Mystics plays the same position and takes 10.7 free throws per game.
First-year Sparks’ head coach Lynne Roberts came to the defense of her star point guard, further validating Plum’s growing frustrations.
“She shot six free throws, and three of those were off a three, and another was a technical, so she got to the free throw line one time when attacking, if you think about it. That is not right. The scouting report is to be as physical as you can with her, and it is being allowed, so we have to talk to the league about that. She is too good, and you watch some of the other stars in the league, and they don’t get fouled like that without going to the free throw line,” said Roberts.
Women’s basketball is a growing game that has reached a level of popularity that was completely unforeseen just a couple of years ago, and stars like Kelsey Plum are what is driving the ratings. A physically, emotionally, and verbally frustrated superstar is something the league should take note of.
Plum’s move to Los Angeles after years of being a proven winner in Las Vegas is a golden opportunity to keep the sport on the same upper trajectory, but a disgruntled version of Plum is not the best look. The stars in the NBA live at the line, and Plum has earned the right to get the benefit of the doubt if she feels like she is being officiated unfairly.
Hopefully, the higher-ups in the WNBA refereeing department review the film and either sit down with Plum to explain why she is not getting certain calls or admit they are wrong and start to give her a better whistle. It is the least they can do for one of the most popular players in one of the biggest markets in the league.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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