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WNBA Star Kelsey Plum Changes Mind On New Women's 3-on-3 League

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Nov 28, 2024 11:28 AM ET

Las Vegas Aces star guard Kelsey Plum has changed her mind on the upcoming Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 league.

Originally, Plum, who won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer, was slated to be one of the 36 players competing in the first Unrivaled season. The league is scheduled to begin Jan. 17, with all games taking place in Miami.

However, on Wednesday night, Plum announced on Instagram that she was opting out, calling it a personal decision.

"I've decided not to take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason," Plum wrote on her story. "I appreciate the league being so accommodating. I wish the league and all of the players nothing but the best and I'm excited to watch!"

Announced as an Unrivaled member back in July, Plum was one of five Aces scheduled to participate in the league, along with Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 9: Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 9, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)Juan Ocampo/Getty Images

She and Martin were supposed to be teammates on the Laces, who also have Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride ( Minnesota Lynx), Stefanie Dolson (Washington Mystics) and Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun) on the roster.

Unrivaled will likely announce a replacement for Plum in the coming weeks. The former University of Washington standout has been quite open about how difficult her last year has been, including her divorce from former NFL tight end Darren Waller, so perhaps Plum is just looking for a little downtime this offseason before the 2025 WNBA campaign.

Plum, 30, has made the WNBA All-Star Game each of the last three seasons, helping the Aces win back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.

This year, she averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists per game before contributing 6.5 points and 3.2 assists for Team USA at the Olympics.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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