Aces star Kelsey Plum is withdrawing from the first season of Unrivaled

Aces star Kelsey Plum is withdrawing from the first season of Unrivaled

Kelsey Plum won’t be playing in the new Unrivaled league this offseason.

The Las Vegas Aces star took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday night to announce that she has opted out of the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league set to begin in January in Miami.

“I decided not to participate in the first season of Unrivaled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason,” she said. “I appreciate the league’s understanding and accommodation. I wish the league and all the players the best and look forward to watching.”

Plum wanted to play on the Laces with Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Stefanie Dolson and Kate Martin. Andrew Wade is the team’s coach. It’s unclear who will fill Plum’s spot on their roster or who will fill the other two open spots in the 36-player league.

Aces colleagues Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Tiffany Hayes, as well as Martin, are also in the league.

Unrivaled will officially open the game in Miami in January. The league was originally only supposed to feature 30 WNBA players, but in October it was expanded to include six more roster spots. The six teams each play 14 games and the season ends with a single-elimination Final Four tournament to determine the champion. Games are played on a 70-foot court with an 18-second shot clock and three seven-minute periods. There will also be an all-star event and an individual tournament.

TNT has a media rights deal with the league to broadcast 45 games, and players will receive at least $100,000 for the season. Plum is the latest WNBA star to either retire or decide not to play. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has long been rumored to be in the cast, but she won’t be in the first 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 first selected by the San Antonio Stars with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017. She helped lead the franchise to two WNBA titles, although they were eliminated in the semifinals of the playoffs last season while trying to win a historic third straight championship.

Unrivaled officially launches on January 17th.

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