from B California number 10 [Music] chelse you like okay this is really cool right this is amazing and then when it actually happens it's kind of like you're in shock a little bit um definitely felt like almost emotional it's hard to do you know and so I just was like man I was trying to take a second to just hey Kelsey like good job picture this a packed Arena fans on the their feet and history in the making Kelsey plums Jersey ascends to the rafters at the University of Washington the first women's basketball player to
receive this honor the energy is electric with NBA stars singing her praises and former teammates shedding tears of joy it's a moment Plum will never forget you showed us what greatness looks like you allowed us to follow you your extraordinary career and today be made forever I never really thought about it in the sense of like the Jersey being hung and the records and things like that I just wanted to be the best I could be you know uh and just trying to like push that limit and then um I look back now and it's
really cool to have a full circle moment look back and just say man like d that is a lot of points I never really thought about it like that you know now shift gears in another part of the country Asia Wilson Scrolls through her phone frowning at the lack of Buzz around her own Jersey retirement in February tickets are going for less than the price of a pizza and the event isn't even close to selling out we'll talk about Asia's reaction in a bit how did two WNBA Stars end up with such different celebrations the
answer might surprise you and it's got everyone talking about the future of women's basketball are you ready let's go is that time call this you guys everyone wants me to cry today no way you know what's Wild Kelsey Plum just made history and the whole basketball world is buzzing picture this Alaska Airlines Arena packed with more than 10,000 fans the air is electric like everyone knows they're about to witness something special Plum Plum between setting a scoring record and being the first woman to have her jersey retired in the rafters Kelsey Plum is setting the
precedent for the huskys Women's Basketball team I think if anything it just shows uh like if you're a women's basketball player wanting to play in college and you watch today it's like this is what support is and what it looks like right having a sellout crowd come back and acknowledge someone that played here um so it's it's possible to do right and I just think that um a lot of times sometimes you have to see it to know like hey wait a second like there's a big fan base here you know let's rewind a bit
Plum's college career it was legendary we're talking NCAA scoring records that stood until Caitlyn Clark came along this girl racked up 3,527 points during her time at Washington that's not just good that's break the scoreboard good with the just like that Kelsey kelse with two ladies and gents you are looking at the number one scorer in women's won college basketball Kelsey Plum Plum wasn't just about the points she was a free throw wizard setting the record with 912 successful shots from the line in her senior year she went full Supernova dropping 1,19 points in a
single season that's the kind of performance that makes basketball purists weep with joy forever 10 honors the exceptional journey of Kelsey Plum whose impact extends far beyond the University of Washington from becoming the ncaa's all all time leading score to Leading the huskys to National prominence her number 10 Jersey symbolizes greatness off the court wall at ubb Kelsey earned a degree in anthropology from the College of Arts and Sciences on court Kelsey was named the 2017 AP and N Smith player of the year she was a two-time allamerican she was a four-time all Pack 12
she held alltime scoring leader record from 2017 to 2020 4 now U's honoring her in a way they've never done for any other women's basketball player during halftime the crowd goes silent all eyes on that number 10 Jersey slowly rising to the rafters it's a symbol of everything Plum achieved and everything she represents for women's basketball she is ub's alltime three-point leader and second all time in Pack 12 history and she broke the 33-year-old NCAA career free throw record with 9 12 points she was the number one draft pick for the WNBA in 2017 this
isn't just about Plum stats it's about the impact she had on the program remember when Washington made it to their first ever final four in 2016 yeah that was Plum leading the charge she didn't just set records she put U women's basketball on the map Kelsey's Legacy didn't stop after the udub she has gone on to become a two-time WNBA champion three time WNBA Allstar and allstar MVP in 2022 FBA gold medalist and two-time Olympic gold medalist this jersey retirement celebrates a career that continues to shine immortalizing her achievements as part of husky history forever
plums taking it all in looking genuine Ely moved it just brings back so many memories she says her voice a mix of nostalgia and disbelief I really feel so blessed to share this moment with my family life happens so fast it feels like two weeks ago I was a senior here one word to describe Kelsey Plum is fierce she's a leader right from the get-go ability to laser focus she's a winner what truly sets Kelsey apart is her character Kelsey's work ethic is second to none she has that it Factor Kelsey Plum is a dog
in high school Kelsey made a name for herself as one of the most talented hardworking players in the country she was different from even the day she stepped on campus straight from the airport first day on campus was ride to the gym what I appreciate most about Kelsey is her work ethic and there is not a single person in any sport that I've ever covered that has outworked Kelsey Plum during timeouts the arena erupts with messages from Plum's Las Vegas Aces teammates her old Huskies Squad and her family it's like the whole basketball Community showed
up to say Kelsey you're one of the greats I was here in the gym she was always on the other side getting the same amount of work in you hear people you know being in the gym before after practice that was her every single day you know first one's here last ones to leave Kelsey literally never left every single drill that we did was competitive because of her it was her that was her drive her focus and her desire and and I think that's what makes her who she is she had um laser focus for
what she wanted to do and she was going to do it and no one was going to stop her from doing it W's current head coach Tina Langley beams what a fun day to celebrate history and Kelsey Plum we're so excited to have her number up in the rafters she's known for her exceptional hard work and she's also an incredible person just the fact that she's hanging her Jersey there in hecked you know shows a different side of her not just the the talent but the competitive side and the desire to sacrifice I just don't
think many people and I'm not saying kids I'm not saying players I'm just saying people in general I think I don't think people have that in them there is so much that Kelsey has accomplished throughout her career uh she's truly one of the best uh to play the game and she played at Washington uh her impact will last forever and that's why we're hanging her number in the rafters today so that we will never forget the player and the person that she is as the crowd erupts in cheers you can't help but think this is
what it looks like when hard work pays off and it's pretty darn and inspiring Plum's Jersey retirement isn't just a personal achievement it's a milestone for women's basketball as a whole yeah you know I've said these words to you many times you you may be a better Coach had you not been a part of what we were doing I wouldn't have got a chance to live out my dream welcome to the club of Jersey retirements congratulations you just welld deserved and and keep going and keep striving for greatness hold up folks while we're all riding
high on Kelsey Plum's Jersey retire retirement celebration there's some serious drama unfolding behind the scenes you know how they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas well not this time let's be real for a second Kelsey Plum's future with the Las Vegas Aces is looking shakier than a house of cards in a wind tunnel the team slapped a core designation on her and trade rumors are flying faster than a plum three-pointer based on multiple conversations that I've had it does seem like the most likely scenario is that Kelsey Plum would move on from the
aces my basketball mind was still having a hard time wrapping my head around Kelsey leaving and going to an org like the Valkyries but here's the kicker it's not just about basketball plums feeling like the Forgotten middle child in the aces family Asia Wilson and Coach Becky Hammond are hogging all the attention it's like high school all over again but with million-dollar contracts and championship rings what's been a little surprising and I think why there's so much conversation at least from what I'm seeing about Kelsey Plum is that during the season when the rest of
the core a is the other you know they're the core four Asia Chelsea Jackie young and Kelsey Plum so when her other three you know counterparts they signed extensions she did not now you might be thinking why would Plum want to leave a championship team well sometimes it's not about the hardware it's about feeling valued appreciated and seen and right now Plum's feeling more invisible than a referee's whistle and crunch time you mentioned that she did not sign an extension and uh former general manager Natalie Williams told me before she in the Asis parted ways
that you know Kelsey was offered an extension and declined but wait there's more enter the Golden State Valkyries they've been making some interesting moves lately and let me tell you they're not just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic these folks mean business what I do think is interesting is that there is a team that will be coming to the League this year the Golden State Valkyries and a part of me just kind of feels like that might be a fresh start for Kelsey plump if she does decide that she wants to move on from the
aces to me it gives them an opportunity to have a great perimeter scorer which we know that Kelsey Plum is but it also will add a little bit of familiarity for her because the new head coach was the former assistant coach in Las Vegas and I think that that could also be something that plays well where you're getting a new environment and you're getting a new experience but you're also still working with someone who knows you and knows you well so you get a bit of The Best of Both Worlds picture this Kelsey Plum the
Undisputed star of the women's Bay Area basketball scene no more playing second fiddle no more living in anyone's shadow it's got a nice ring to it doesn't it yeah I mean I definitely would not rule that out something that really stands out to me is that you know Kelsey is a is a Southern California Native and uh San Francisco is you know it's it's within the state California is a large state but it's still within the state and I think that that stands out to me that's like the most intriguing destination for Kelsey I mean
I totally understand the fit um you mentioned like perimeter scoring for the Valkyries that and they'll absolutely need that but I think also she brings like this you know veteran Championship mentality that Natalina Kaz has emphasized that she wants to cultivate in the Golden State and so to me that would just be knock out of the park and they have the room to do it you know they're just building their roster cap space is not going to be a problem so that stands out to me definitely now here's where it gets really interesting during her
Jersey retirement ceremony her former Aces teammate Kate Martin was singing her praises and where's playing now you got it the Valkyries coincidence in the WNBA there's no such thing she and Natalie were really close like I remember the first conversation I had with nalina Kaz she was telling me that she spent the whole offseason doing Pilates with Kelsey plum because Kelsey had broked her into it and they were waking up at like 6:00 a.m. together to go to these pilat sessions and I remember telling n like that is something I would never do I could
never like wake up early and she was like well uh you you should like you should consider it Kelsey has like changed my life by us doing and that's like something small thing it doesn't really go into any reporting or anything but their relationship seems to be really strong and so you know I wouldn't be surprised with of course plums keeping her cards close to her chest when asked about her free agency status during the ceremony she politely declined to comment talk about a plot twist in the middle of her big moment here's the thing
plums at a Crossroads does she stick with the aces where she's won championships but feels underappreciated or does she take a leap of faith and join the Valkyries where she could be the franchise player the ball's in her court now I just have a very hard time Imagining the Las Vegas Aces without that core four they were all drafted there right I mean they were all drafted there and so I mean look as a as a Warriors fan losing Klay Thompson I can sort of relate to this but that would be quite a blow for
a team like Vegas they came up together they won two championships together you know what's wild sometimes even the biggest stars can get lost in their own Shadows case in point Asia Wilson's Jersey retirement at the University of South Carolina you'd think it'd be a slam dunk celebration right well hold on to your jerseys folks because this story's got more twist than a pretzel factory PA reminds me a lot of dud like he say not really about me she know and she knows how her privilege has gotten her to that point and also like she's
good at basketball but like she understands her privil it's like what pushes her over the top it reminds me a lot of you and I and I mean that's a let's set the scene it's October 2024 and South Carolina finally decides to retire Asia Wilson's number 22 great news yeah except didn't we all assume that happened years ago I mean the woman's got a statue outside the arena but here's where it gets really interesting they're doing it on the same day as Caitlyn Clark's Jersey retirement at Iowa coincidence about as likely as finding a unicorn
in your backyard also it's Asia Wilson's retirement Jersey day right and well her prices for her game are high now you'd expect fans to be lining up around the block for tickets right guess what they're not tickets are going for $16 and they're still not sold out ouch that's got to sting more than a missed free throw in the final seconds and while Clark's ceremony is set to be a national television event Wilson's retirement crickets no broadcast plans n then there's the Clark Factor announcing Wilson's retirement now when all eyes are on Iowa's Golden Girl
it feels a bit like showing up to someone else's party unannounced you're there but you're not exactly Turning Heads Asia Wilson the Cornerstone of South Carolina's rise to prominence will see her number 22 jersey retired at Colonial Life Arena When the Game cxs Face alurn a lot of people are pissed that this is the second day or or the same day now I say a lot of people Asia Wilson fans are pissed that it's the same day but here's the twist Wilson herself has been quieter than a library during finals week about the whole thing
no excited tweets no Instagram posts it's like she's not sure whether to celebrate or shrug and can you blame her from far as I can tell Caitlin Clark fans don't give a rip about Asia Wilson's Jersey retirement as we inch closer to the big day you've got to wonder is this a case of too little too late for South Carolina or is it a sign of something deeper whatever the reason the contrast couldn't be clearer it's like comparing a Blockbuster movie premiere to a straight to DVD release you know what's wild sometimes the happiness around
a player is so intense that even their future Jersey retirement breaks records that's exactly what's happening with Caitlyn Clark right now while we're all still buzzing about Kelsey Plum's big moment Clark's upcoming honor is coming soon comes Clark how will she go for [Music] history fitting on logos green let's hear it one more time for number 22 J February 2nd 2025 remember that date folks it's when Iowa will officially immortalize Clark's number 22 in the rafters of Carver Hawke eye Arena but here's the kicker fans aren't waiting around to get excited they're losing their minds
already and the ticket prices they're absolutely Bonkers however in Iowa City the retirement of klin Clark's number 22 Jersey at Carver Hawkeye Arena during Iowa's game against USC is shaping up to be a much bigger spectacle and of course this was a tweet that went out talking about 200 to 784 with a bunch of tickets listed over a thousand let's talk numbers for a second when the announcement first dropped the cheapest seat in the house was going for $200 pretty steep right well hold on to your hats because in just 40 minutes yeah you heard
that right 40 minutes that price shot up to $784 and now some tickets are listed for over a grand but wait there's more if you're okay with standing room only that'll set you back a cool $300 but this isn't just any old game they're attaching Clark's big moment to oh no Iowa's got something special cooked up their facing off against USC which means we get to see Clark's Legacy celebrated while Juju Watkins the next big thing in women's basketball is on the court talk about star power overload Iowa taking on USC and JuJu Watkins nationally
televised game I believe February 2nd 22 so it's 22 everything about it lines up now let's be real for a second this retirement ceremony has been in the works for a while Iowa's director of Athletics Beth guts didn't waste any time she announced it right after Clark's final college game before the ink was even dry on her WNBA draft card guts didn't mince words either saying Caitlyn Clark has not only redefined Excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination you will be the last to
wear number 22 and you will become the third Hawkeye women's basketball player in history to have her number retire and that is what Beth gets had to say back in April as the Hawks wrapped up their second second straight national runner-up season but here's where it gets really interesting some eagley fans swear they've already spotted an unveiled Jersey hanging in the rafters months ago it's like Iowa couldn't even wait for the official ceremony they just had to get that Jersey up there covered or not you've got to hand it to Iowa though this isn't just
about honoring Clark it's a brilliant marketing move they've set it up perfectly National TV coverage a marquee matchup against a rising star and a to keep the Clark hype train rolling long after she's moved on to the pros something I'm very thankful for and obviously I've had some amazing teammates over the course of my four years here and there's been a lot of really good 22s to come before me and play for this program whether it's Kathleen Doyle or Sam logic so uh that that number holds a lot of weight uh far beyond my name
and uh I guess I'm I'm just really grateful and uh it'll be a special day as the buzz builds and social media explodes with every new detail one thing's Crystal Clear when it comes to Caitlyn Clark everything's Larger than Life her college career was record-breaking her draft was a media frenzy and now her Jersey retirement is turning into a big time event and you know what this is probably just the beginning just when you thought Caitlyn Clark couldn't get any bigger the numbers rolled in picture this Clark's Jersey retirement is like the hottest concert ticket
in town secondary Market tickets start at a whopping $711 just to get in the door and those premium seats we're talking over 8 Grand but that is a supply and demand thing especially in today's day and age where there's no such thing as a sellout right where you can go to any event you want as long as you're willing to pay for it because of the the secondary ticket Market Now flip that image for Asia Wilson's Jersey retirement same day Different World tickets are going for as low as 16 bucks and get this they're still
not sold out it's like comparing a soldout arena show to an open mic night at your coffee shop the social media Buzz Clark's announcement exploded with over 300,000 Impressions faster than you can say viral Wilson's announcement barely a blip on the radar and South Carolina waited years and years to retire Asia's Jersey iow was expecting a packed house for Clark maybe even adding extra seats meanwhile South Carolina's hoping to at least fill the lower bowl for Wilson let's be real for a second these stats paint a picture of two very different legacies Clark's become a
cultural phenomenon a household name even for non-basketball fans Wilson despite her phenomenal playing career and trophy case that would make most athletes Green With Envy isn't getting the same love you've got to wonder how this sits with Asia imagine working your whole life to be the best winning championships and MVP awards but no one cares that's got to sting and and and we'll get to compare the ratings because I I I would assume that game against Auburn will be televised somewhere uh now whether or not it's nationally televised like I think the Iowa game's going
to end up being I don't know but look when it comes to tickets it's a supply and a demand issue it's that simple it's a good way to gauge one's popularity you think Asia Wilson's feeling the heat well the fans are turning up the temperature and it's getting spicy in here the court of public opinion is in full session and not holding back when it comes to fan reactions we're seeing a clear divide on Caitlyn Clark's side it's a love parade fans are showering her with praise like she's basketball royalty one fan even declared now
tell me who the face of the league is Clark's star power is shining bright and her supporters are making sure everyone knows it but for Asia Wilson yikes the reactions are far from warm and fuzzy some fans are scratching their heads wondering what's going on one tweet said Asia who thought her Jersey was already retired ouch that's got to Sting the timing of these Jersey retirements is causing quite a stir one frustrated fan didn't mince words why would y'all retire her Jersey on the same day as AA are y'all stupid now that's what I call
a hot take but it's not all doom and gloom for Wilson some loyal fans are stepping up to defend her calling out what they see as disrespect they argue that both players deserve their moment in the spotlight the greatest women's player there ever was maybe it's debatable but at the very least she'll be in that debate forever her now famous Hawkeye Jersey was two tws but she was one of one meanwhile Wilson's ceremony is facing challenges some fans are questioning why it took so long for South Carolina to retire her Jersey one comment asked why
did SC take a Whole Decade to retire a's number the contrast between these events is striking Clark's Jersey retirement is being treated like a major milestone in women's basketball history Wilson's it's kind of getting lost in the shuffle in the world of women's basketball the fans have spoken and they're not pulling any punches let's be real folks the world of women's basketball is changing faster than Asia Wilson can say where's my Spotlight Kelsey Plum's college jersey just got retired in front of a soldout Arena k Clark's Jersey retirement is turning into a national spectacle while
Wilson's struggles to fill seats this isn't just about Jersey hangings it's a whole shift in the game's landscape Clark's meteoric rise is reshaping what stardom looks like in women's basketball whether your team Plum team Clark or team Wilson this moment is bigger than any of them it's about a sport finally getting the attention it deserves do you agree let us know in the comments like subscribe and turn on all notific ifications so you never miss out click the video on the screen and we will see you in the next one
