Kelsey Plum is currently the No. 1 player on the 2017 WNBA Draft Board. Coming off of a 2015-16 campaign where Plum led Washington to the Final Four, she has been virtually unstoppable again this season. Through 23 games, she has averaged 31.3 point per game. More impressive are her shooting percentages: 54 from the field, 90 from the free throw line and 45 from beyond the arc. Since she walked in the door at UW, coach Mike Neighbors has allowed Plum the license to assert herself as an elite yet efficient scorer.
Kelsey Plum matched a season-high with 44 points (for the fourth time this season). She drained a career-high seven 3-pointers. #GoDawgs
— Washington WBB (@UW_WBB) January 30, 2017
Since my first evaluation on Plum as a high school prospect during her time at LaJolla Country Day, she’s always been a fierce competitor capable of making her teammates better with her passing. This season is no different as the dynamic guard leads the Huskies with 4.9 assists per contest. She’s only turned the ball over 60 times giving her a 2.5:1 assist to turnover rate. That’s extremely impressive given the amount of time that Plum spends with the ball in her hands.
Kelsey Plum from LaJolla Country Day is on the floor - love her game! Complete point guard. Leader! #TeamPSB
— Brandon Clay (@BrandonClayPSB) December 20, 2011
Plum’s play is drawing comparisons to NBA MVP candidate James Harden. The two are both left-hand dominant point guards capable of scoring the ball with the best guards in the game. Take a look at this Bleacher Report video showing the similarities in their style of play:
Meet the James Harden of women's hoops.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 11, 2017
Washington guard Kelsey Plum draws comparisons with her scoring ability pic.twitter.com/jmyVrmyxmv
Hansen’s Take
Being from the Seattle area, Plum is a player I’ve seen up close and live countless times. While the statistical improvement is staggering, more impressive has been her growth as a leader. She’s evolved from a lead by example player to a great communicator on the court.
Plum is a fantastic shooter but what separates her from most shooters is she is one of the best at attacking off the dribble in college basketball. She is strong, takes on contact and finds ways to finish. You don’t foul jump shooters but Plum has been at or near the top of players for free throws attempted. She’s currently No. 4 in Division I.
Brandon Clay serves as the WNBA Director of Scouting for ProspectsNation.com and owns The JumpOffPlus.com International Report, which is picked up by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. He serves on the Naismith Trophy Men’s / Women’s College Player of the Year Academy and is chairman of the HS Boys / Girls Board of Selectors and is on the McDonald’s All-American Selection Committee. He also is the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNED events. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
