Aces guard Kelsey Plum earns prestigious WNBA honor

Aces guard Kelsey Plum on Thursday won the award, receiving 41 votes from a panel comprised of 49 journalists and broadcasters who cover the WNBA. Teammate Dearica Hamby, who’d won the award the previous two seasons, finished second with five votes.

Additionally, Las Vegas general manager Dan Padover was named the league’s Executive of the Year for the second consecutive season by a panel comprised of an executive from each WNBA team.

Plum, 27, had the finest year of her professional career, averaging a career-high 14.8 points on 43.7 percent shooting — including 38.6 from 3-point range on a career-high 4.4 attempts. She played in 26 games, all as a reserve after starting 80 games over her first three seasons.

She said Thursday that she viewed the new role as an opportunity.

“I tried to make the most of this opportunity and be the best version I can be for my team,” she said. “I feel like I’ve done that and will continue to do that.” adding that the honor is a steppingstone toward bigger goals while noting that her focus is on the WNBA semifinals.

Plum, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, was primarily a starter during her first three seasons and averaged 8.9 points and 3.5 assists through 2019. She missed the 2020 season with a torn Achilles tendon but returned to basketball activity in February with USA Basketball.

She was informed by coach Bill Laimbeer before the season that she would be utilized in a reserve role this season amid the addition of point guard Chelsea Gray and two-guard Riquna Williams in free agency.

The change allowed Plum to handle the ball more and utilize her three-level scoring skill set with the second unit, though she frequently played alongside starters and was often part of Laimbeer’s closing unit in close games.

As a result, Plum eclipsed the 20-point mark on eight occasions this year, the most in a single season by a bench player in league history. She cracked the 30-point mark twice as well, tying a league record for reserves set in 2012 by Aces teammate Angel McCoughtry when she played for the Atlanta Dream.

Plum’s play peaked in September, during which she averaged 21.7 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals en route to Western Conference Player of the Month honors.

She continued her strong play on Tuesday in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, scoring 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting in a 96-90 victory at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We knew this at the beginning of the year that she was going to win it,” Aces forward A’ja Wilson said. “KP is one of the most hard- working athletes I’ve ever seen. … She deserves this award more than anyone.”

Hamby had another sublime season for the Aces and averaged 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as the runner-up. She also shot a career-high 54.5 percent from the field and remained one of the team’s most versatile defensive players.

The Aces in the offseason signed Gray and Williams, who combined to start every game in the backcourt this season. The franchise in June also added center Kiah Stokes, who started five games while Liz Cambage battled COVID-19 — averaging 9.0 rebounds while helping the team to a 4-1 record.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.