LOS ANGELES — Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is not shy about sharing that she is ready for a bigger presence for a WNBA franchise.
The 5-foot-8 three-time All-Star, two-time WNBA champion and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist said that’s why she excited to have a leading role in Los Angeles.
“That was one of the reasons I saw Coach’s vision for what she wanted to do,” Plum said of new hire Lynne Roberts. “Also understanding that it’s not just the offense but also the culture that they’re changing here.
“I wanted a bigger opportunity,” continued Plum, who played her first seven seasons in the league for the Las Vegas Aces. “I wanted a bigger role. I feel like you have a short window in your career to maximize that and that’s why I’m here.”
That’s where new Roberts’ vision for a “pace and space” system comes into play. It is a relatively modern basketball concept, which weaves in an analytical approach to spread the floor and allow shooters ample opportunities to shoot more 3-pointers, which can increase offensive efficiency.
Roberts said players will have structure but also the freedom to make plays.
“Have you seen me play?” Plum quipped. “I feel like you can answer that question, that’s literally who I am. Pace and space. I would describe that as my game.”
Friday’s season opener is on the road against the Golden State Valkyries, the expansion squad coached by former Marina High and UCLA star and Clippers assistant Natalie Nakase.
The Sparks’ projected starting lineup is Plum, guard Rae Burrell, forwards Rickea Jackson and Dearica Hamby and center Azurá Stevens. Plum is the only newcomer to the Sparks’ starting lineup.
“We’re excited to have her, her leadership and obviously her ability to play basketball at high level,” said Hamby, a three-time WNBA All-Star who helped the Aces win an WNBA title alongside Plum in 2022.
“We have a very talented group,” Plum added. “A very hungry group. I think Coach has implemented a lot of new things but people are picking it up very well.”
Hamby led the Sparks last season with 17.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game to go with 3.5 assists.
“We’re more than a 1-2 punch,” Plum explained. “We’ve got Rickea and I go down the line of players that are extremely talented and just being put in great positions to be successful.”
Jackson, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, averaged 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, is continuing to rehab her ACL injury, which she suffered in a game against the Connecticut Sun in June.
The 6-foot-4 defensive stalwart averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in 15 games as a rookie. Her knee will be reevaluated soon and she could possibly be cleared to play next month.
“I feel great,” Brink said. “Just taking it day by day. I’m really thankful that I’m not getting any pressure from the Sparks organization. They’re doing a really good job of supporting me fully through this process. I’m feeling great and just taking it step by step.”
The Sparks have not made the playoffs since 2020, which is a franchise-long streak amid four consecutive losing seasons. They have not won a playoff game since 2019.
“I didn’t come here just happy to be here,” Roberts said. “I’m here to win. This is why I’m here to do everything I can to put the product on the floor that puts us in a position do that.”
Roberts arrives from the college ranks, where she led Utah for 10 seasons and reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2023.
“Getting this franchise back to the championship level is a process,” Roberts continued. “But we want to compete in every game we play.”
The Sparks finished 8-32 last season for the worst record in the league. That result gave the team the best odds to be awarded the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. However, the lottery ball did not bounce the organization’s way.
The No. 1 pick would have given the Sparks the right to draft UConn star Paige Bueckers, who ended up being selected by the Dallas Wings, whose general manager, Curt Miller, coached the Sparks for the past two seasons.
The Sparks were awarded the No. 2 pick, which they eventually packaged in a three-team trade with the Aces and Seattle Storm to acquire Plum, who averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists on the Aces last season.
“Obviously, coming from Vegas I’ve learned a lot of things and picked up a lot of experience along the way, but I am who I am,” Plum continued. “I’m not going to change my stripes so to say. I lead by example and I try to make sure that whatever I’m saying, I’m also doing and just have a lot of fun. I try to empower people and bring a ton of joy and have that infect the whole team.”
In the Plum acquisition, the Sparks also received the No. 9 draft pick, which they used to select Sarah Ashlee Barker, a 6-foot guard from Alabama. Barker said she’s eager to learn from veterans like Plum and earn meaningful minutes as rookie.
“When you have an opportunity to step on to the floor and your number is called, you have to go in and make the most of it,” said Barker, who averaged 18.2 points for the Crimson Tide last season while shooting 51.4% from the floor and 37.5% on 3-pointers. “I think that that’s where my mindset is. If I get called to go onto the floor, I’ve got to do the little things. I’ve got to hustle. I’ve got to defend and then if my shots there, I can take it.”
“The thing that you can’t do as a rookie or a new player in this league is wait your turn,” Roberts said. “You got to be aggressive, you’ve got to be fearless because the train is not going to wait for you.”
The Sparks recently waived guard Aari McDonald, center Masha Kliundikova and rookie forward Liatu King, ahead of reaching the opening day 12-player roster limit.
SEASON OPENER: SPARKS AT GOLDEN STATE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
TV: ION
Related Articles
Alexander: New Sparks star Kelsey Plum understands it’s time to catch up WNBA draft: Paige Bueckers is No. 1 pick; Sparks take Sarah Ashlee Barker at No. 9 Alexander: The State of Southern California Sports, 2025 – ranking the most relevant teams Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 2025 Sparks season preview: New year and a new system )
Also on site :