Aces guard Kelsey Plum is a sharpshooting advantage creator

Las Vegas Aces bucket-getter, Kelsey Plum, is staying put in Vegas. The Washington Huskie product signed a two-year extension that has her set to be with the Aces for the foreseeable future.

The 2017 WNBA #1 pick in enjoying a career-year in 2022. Posting career highs in points, assists, and rebounds, Plum is primed to make an All-WNBA team for the first time in her career (should be a first team lock).

After winning 6th women of the year a season ago, Plum has entered a different stratosphere. Plum is playing at an MVP level, helping pace the Aces to 18-7 start. A record good for second in the W behind the defending champion Chicago Sky.

Crafty Scorer

Second in the W averaging 20.3 points per game (PPG), Plum has a variety of different way to exploit defenses.

Plum is shooting a mind-blowing 42% on 7.7(!) three-point attempts per game (3PA). No other player shooting seven or more 3PA per game is scratching 40% from downtown. Plum’s volume and efficiency is unmatched from deep.

Plum is one of the best self-creators in the W as 31.3% of her made three-pointers are unassisted. 

Plum is a very shifty ballhandler. It’s tough for defenders to anticipate her next move as she mixes it up with killer hesitation moves, smooth in-and-out moves, and a mean James Harden like step back. With the threat of her jumper, teams play her tight and attempt to “make” her drive to the basket.

Plum is a dynamic player that can’t be forced to do anything but she will take what the defense gives her.

She’s a capable paint finisher averaging 5.9 points in the paint per game, per WNBA.com

When teams sell out and do everything in their power to prevent her from shooting the three, she easily attacks closeouts looking to score or throw dimes to teammates.

Advantage creator

Plum is a phenomenal passer and the pairing of Chelsea Gray and herself always give the Aces a proficient passer to run the show.

Averaging a career high 5.5 assist per game with a 26.6 AST% (the percentage of her teammates’ shots she assisted on), Plum has proven to be more than a scorer.

What type of pass do you need? A cross court skip pass? Cool. She has that covered. Do you need someone to thread tight needles in the pick and roll? Plum is your girl as she is a pick and roll maestro.

Plum uses hesitations and eye manipulation to create advantages for herself and others. Her presence of the floor is an advantage because of the spacing she provides for her teammates. There is no leaving Kelsey Plum open; with teams playing her so tight, she opens up driving lanes for A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and even Dearica Hamby when she has the right matchup.

With the season winding down, the true title contenders are showing their head. The Aces have the number one ranked offense by a healthy margin (almost four points ahead of the pack). They’ve picked it up since the All-Star break and plan on making a deep postseason run. Can the sharpshooting-advantage-creating, Kelsey Plum help pace the Aces to the 2022 WNBA Championship?