In 2016, the Los Angeles Sparks were the WNBA’s gold standard—champions led by a “Big Three” of Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Kristi Toliver. That year, they won 26 games and edged the Lynx in a five-game Finals classic. But since then? A slow, painful fall. An 8-32 record last year, with no improvement from 17-32 in 2023. No playoff wins since 2020. And by the end of 2024, their last star—Ogwumike—was gone.
Then came January 2025. Just days before Luka Dončić shook up the NBA, the Sparks pulled off a stunner of their own—sending the No. 2 pick and Li Yueru to Seattle in a three-team trade for two-time champ Kelsey Plum. With a 17.8 PPG performance last year, an Olympic gold, and a fiery edge, Plum is more than a scorer—she’s a culture shift. And as analyst Rachel DeMita put it: the league’s officially on alert—LA’s done waiting.
“I want to start with the LA Sparks because I feel like I am on a lone island here when I talk about the Sparks,” Rachel DeMita said on her podcast. “I think they are going to be so much better than people are expecting.”
DeMita’s bold take might’ve seemed like a hot one a few weeks ago. But after witnessing the LA Sparks’ clever offseason moves, not so much. With the draft, they have acquired a young roster, while the veteran leadership is placed around perfectly on the checkerboard to put an end to their dismal runs. Even SI has predicted that the Sparks will finish with a record of 24-20. And the odds, of course, changed drastically with the addition of the All-Star caliber guard.
“The Los Angeles Sparks also picked up Kelsey Plum,” DeMita continued. “And if you know anything about Kelsey Plum’s game, she’s a dog. She just gets after it on the court. She’s super pesty on defense and she wants to win. Like, she is one of the most competitive players in the WNBA.”
Plum doesn’t need anyone to vouch for her. She helped turn the Aces into a dynasty. Now she joins a young, scrappy Sparks team that reminds her of something familiar—maybe not quite a finished product, but a locker room that’s starving for greatness. However, with the addition of the new coach, there were talks about how Plum, who was with one program for 6 seasons and made back-to-back championships, would fit into the game plan.
Plum wrapped them up with a twirl of her finger and set the rumors to rest. Singing praises of Lynne Roberts’ tenure at Utah, she made it clear how she’s “very familiar with it“. Establishing her faith in the new team, Plum added, “Also playing in college but then watching Utah, because I watch a lot college basketball, still and just seeing what she’s done with that program, the way she elevated it”.
And we can also see where it’s headed, considering the plans Lynne has for Plum. She’s not relying on her to win the game. She’s relying on her to show the way. She has already set up a dream duo of Plum and Brink in her head, and Plum seems to be in tandem. After all, she knows how not one player, but your bigs will take you places.
“I think Cam is a defensive player of the year, Rickea’s an All-Star,” Plum said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, referencing Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. “Rae Burrell’s a tremendous talent, and I think that she can be one of the best two-way guards in the league. So when you look at the versatility, everyone can shoot, they can play multiple positions, they can guard multiple positions, and they’re all competitors. They want to win, they want to get better. They want to be great. That to me, really stood out.”
She even made a statement as bold as DeMita’s, saying, “I mean, it’s the best young front court in the league, and it’s not close.” Well, that confidence? Much needed, and everyone’s all for it.
Since their 2016 championship run with Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Kristi Toliver, the Sparks have struggled to recapture their former glory. That 2016 title, followed by a crushing Finals loss to the Lynx in 2017, marked the end of their golden era. Now, they have a new core built around youth, versatility, and grit. Brink, the No. 2 pick in 2024, has already shown elite rim protection and defensive IQ in the 15 games she played before her injury. Jackson brings dynamic scoring, and with Dearica Hamby’s experience, Shaneice Swain’s WNBL scoring instincts, and Mercedes Russell’s size, this isn’t a roster built on hope; it’s built to win.
As for Kelsey Plum? We would rather not speak for someone who has not only built the systems but has herself become the system. Now, she has the ball again. Plum helped the Aces flip the script — from perennial underachievers to a dynasty in the making. The Sparks are betting she can do it again, and if she does, Rachel DeMita won’t be alone on that island anymore.
Kelsey Plum Trains with Under Armour Ahead of Sparks Season
And well, Kelsey Plum seems all set to prove just that—especially with her current offseason form that has fans, teammates, and even rivals doing double-takes.
Plum’s blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Sparks was already one of the biggest headlines of the offseason. But it’s a viral photo from her latest training camp that has truly set the internet ablaze in April. The image, captured during her annual “Dawg Class” in Phoenix, shows the 2x WNBA Champion looking shredded—her arms visibly more muscular, her posture radiating power enough to rival even Caitlin Clark’s viral transformation.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Basketball – Women’s Semifinal – United States vs Australia – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 09, 2024. Kelsey Plum of United States in action against Cayla George of Australia. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
This isn’t just offseason aesthetics. It’s Plum sending a message: she’s not just changing teams—she’s evolving. Hosted April 18–20 and backed by Under Armour, “Dawg Class” is an elite three-day training and mentorship experience designed for the most promising female collegiate guards. Plum, a long-time Under Armour athlete, handpicks a select group of players who mirror her grit and game IQ.
This year’s Dawg Class featured 11 top-tier talents, including Georgia Amoore (Kentucky), Mikayla Blakes (Vanderbilt), Zoe Brooks (NC State), Jaloni Cambridge (Ohio State), Kayleigh Heckel (Transfer Portal), Gianna Kneepkens (Transfer Portal), Harmoni Turner (Harvard), Syla Swords (Michigan), Shyanne Sellers (Maryland), Ashlon Jackson (Duke), and KK Arnold (UConn)—who was crowned “Top Dawg” for her standout performance.
Over three intense days, players went through scrimmages, elite skill development, strength and performance sessions, and fireside chats about identity, mental health, and transitioning to the pro level. A leadership panel featuring Plum, Under Armour, WME, and ESPN tackled brand-building and media presence.
For Plum, the offseason grind isn’t just about staying sharp. It’s about building leaders. And as she joins a Sparks squad featuring Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, and Rickea Jackson, she’s not just ready—she’s built for it.
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