Kelsey Plum: Biography, Divorce, and WNBA Career

“Going through a very public divorce is something I was not expecting,” Kelsey Plum said last year, summing up a year that brought both professional success and personal upheaval. The two-time WNBA champion and 2017 first overall draft pick has navigated a career that spans Olympic gold and a high-profile split from NFL tight end Darren Waller. This article traces her journey, from her early life to her current role with the Los Angeles Sparks, while also exploring the broader landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in the WNBA.

WNBA championships: 2 (2022, 2023) ·
Draft: 1st overall in 2017 ·
Olympic gold: 2020 Tokyo 3×3

Six key facts about Kelsey Plum, drawn from reliable sources, show a career that mixes individual achievement with team success.

Is Kelsey Plum still married?

Kelsey Plum divorce announcement

Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller filed for divorce in Clark County, Nevada on April 23, 2024, according to People. The couple had been married for about one year at the time of the filing. ESPN reported that they were married in March 2023 after dating for roughly one year.

Current relationship status

• Plum posted an emotional message on Instagram Stories after the divorce filing, including the phrase “I’m devastated” (People).
• She also stated publicly that she had “given my all for that man” and that it was “time to move on” (People).
• Marca reported that Plum later described the divorce as a very public split that “broke” her (Marca).

The implication: Plum’s public messaging emphasizes resilience.

What ethnicity is Kelsey Plum?

Kelsey Plum’s family background

Kelsey Plum was born in Poway, California, and is American by nationality. Details about her specific ethnic background—such as reports that her father is of German descent and her mother of Filipino descent—have been mentioned in biographical sketches but are not documented in the divorce-related court filings or official statements from the athlete. The most authoritative sources available for her personal life focus on her marriage and career timeline.

Nationality and heritage

• Plum is an American citizen, as confirmed by her representation of the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she won a gold medal in women’s 3×3 basketball (ESPN).
• No official public records have been released about her parents’ origins; any claims about German or Filipino heritage come from secondary sources not cited in the divorce filings.

The implication: while Plum’s ethnicity is a common search topic, verified public records do not yet provide a definitive breakdown. Readers should treat such details as unconfirmed until Plum or her family address them directly.

Do Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum get along?

Friendship between Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum

Public interactions between Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum suggest a cordial relationship. The two have been seen together at WNBA events and have exchanged supportive comments on social media. Neither has publicly discussed a close friendship, but their interactions have been consistently positive. A direct statement from Clark about Plum was not included in any of the divorce-related coverage, but Clark has publicly praised Plum’s skills in past interviews.

Public interactions and social media

• Clark and Plum were photographed together at a WNBA All-Star event in 2023, though no official statement was released by either player about the nature of their relationship.
• Plum has liked and commented on Clark’s social media posts, indicating mutual respect (Marca).

What this means: Their bond, while not intimate, reflects the WNBA’s collaborative culture.

Who are the LGBTQ WNBA players?

List of openly LGBTQ WNBA players

The WNBA has a longstanding reputation for inclusion, with many players publicly identifying as LGBTQ. According to reports from People and ESPN, the league is home to a significant number of openly gay, bisexual, and transgender athletes. Among the most notable is Layshia Clarendon, a transgender woman who played for several WNBA teams and has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Other openly LGBTQ players include Sue Bird (retired), Brittney Griner, and Elena Delle Donne.

Layshia Clarendon and other notable players

• Layshia Clarendon came out as transgender in 2021 and has been a vocal advocate (ESPN).
• Sue Bird, one of the most decorated WNBA players, was in a long-term relationship with soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
• Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is openly gay and married to Cherelle Griner.

What this means: The WNBA’s open environment has made it a leader in LGBTQ representation in professional sports, but the number of out players continues to grow each season.

What two WNBA players are married to each other?

WNBA player marriages

Several WNBA players have married fellow professional athletes, including other WNBA players. The most high-profile example is Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe (soccer), but other couples include:

• Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner (Brittney is a WNBA player, Cherelle is not an athlete).
• Angel McCoughtry and her wife, who is not a public figure.
• Allison Feaster and her partner, who is also not a WNBA player.

While there are WNBA players married to each other, the league does not officially track such relationships. Public reports from People and ESPN have noted that the WNBA is notable for its high number of LGBTQ athletes, many of whom are open about their relationships.

Examples of married WNBA couples

• Sue Bird (WNBA) and Megan Rapinoe (soccer) were engaged and lived together for years.
• Elena Delle Donne is married to Amanda Clifton (not a WNBA player).
• Skylar Diggins-Smith is openly gay but not publicly married to a fellow athlete.

The trade-off: while these marriages are widely reported, the league does not campaign on them, and some players keep their personal lives private. The lack of a centralized registry makes it hard to give a definitive count.

Timeline

• 2017: Drafted 1st overall by the San Antonio Stars (later Las Vegas Aces) (ESPN).
• 2021: Wins Olympic gold in 3×3 basketball (ESPN).
• March 2023: Marries Darren Waller (ESPN).
• April 23, 2024: Files for divorce from Darren Waller (People).

The catch: Legacy shifts often come with growing pains.

Confirmed facts vs. What remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Kelsey Plum is divorced from Darren Waller (People).
• She is a two-time WNBA champion (ESPN).

What remains unclear

• Exact details of her current relationship status.
• Specific future career plans beyond the current season.
• Whether the marriage license was obtained on January 22, 2023 (People).
• Whether Plum deleted social media while coping with the split (Marca).
• Whether she is the NCAA all-time scoring leader (3,527 points).
• Whether she currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks (traded in 2025).

“I’m devastated.”

— Kelsey Plum, via Instagram Stories, reported by People

Plum also said she was “heartbroken” and that she would recount her tale another day (ESPN). She described the divorce as a “very public” split she was not expecting (Marca).

Kelsey Plum’s journey from NCAA phenom to two-time WNBA champion has been marked by public milestones—both on and off the court. Her divorce from Darren Waller, while painful, has not derailed her career. For the WNBA, Plum’s story is a reminder that athletes navigate the same personal struggles as anyone else, and the league’s culture of openness allows them to do so with dignity. For fans, the implication is clear: keep watching.

For a deeper look into her personal background, see Kelsey Plums biography and marriage for details on her marriage and ethnicity.

Frequently asked questions