Kelsey Plum’s move to the Sparks in the offseason saw her return home to L.A., and she’s indeed been playing like she’s home. Record-breaking season-opener, back-to-back 20-point performances, and a ‘too small’ celebration to announce she’s arrived. But what’s really indicating the 2x champion is settling in? A considerate eye over her teammates. Rookies and sophomores even more!

The former Aces star isn’t here to just break out of someone’s shadow, she is embracing the newness as her own. After beaming proudly over the (yet-to-debut) frontcourt duo of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson — ” best young frontcourt in the league, and it’s not close,” were her words — she is now looking out for her fellow rookie, Sarah Ashlee Barker.

The former Crimson Tide has shared the court with Plum for 6 games now, observing her every move. And while learning from one of the league’s finest is a gift in its own right, Barker received a special gift, not given, but surely facilitated by KP.

When Barker pulled up to training camp after being drafted 9th overall this year, she came with an energy that was fresh. After all, this was a new chapter in her career. Her shoes, however, didn’t match the vibe. “So my teammate Sarah Ashlee-Barker from Alabama. In training camp, she’s wearing Sabrinas, but they’re like old… they’re old ones,” said Plum in a clip she shared. “And I’m like, yo, we gotta get you some new shoes.” It so happens that Barker had put in the order, but they were taking too long. And so, the former Aces star decided to cut down the waiting time. How, you ask? By reaching out to the person whose shoe the rookie was trying to get.

“I said what you wanna wear. She said I like the Sabrinas, I like the grip. Great. I know Sabrina. Let’s ask her for some shoes.” But when Plum reached out to the NY Liberty star, she had an unusual request to make. “I said just don’t send any Oregon colorways, I can even deal with the Liberty, but not Oregon.” And well, Sabrina came through, sending multiple colorways of her Sabrina 2s. Rightfully so.

If there’s one Nike athlete in the WNBA who fired on all cylinders with the signature release, think the New York Liberty icon. If her Sabrina 1s weren’t successful enough, the Sabrina 2 stunned all charts. The collection has consistently ranked in the top for ‘shoes worn for the most minutes on the NBA court this season’. They surpassed the Air Jordans and the Nike KDs. What sells?

The forefoot Zoom Air unit, the dual-density cushion foam, and the herringbone outsole grip have players like Jrue Holiday, Mikal Bridges, DaQuan Jeffries, Jordan Poole, and numerous more commending the design. So, no wonder the Sparks rookie wanted in on the edition. But even if she wanted to honor her team vet, who has a deal of her own with Under Armour, a “stupid rule” from the league keeps her away.

While the WNBA has partnerships with brands including Adidas, New Balance, and Under Armour, Nike is still the designated supplier of the WNBA. The league rules state that if a player does not have a shoe deal, they will have to wear shoes from the designated supplier i.e. Nike. After Plum posted a video of receiving the kicks from Sabrina, she talked about the league’s rule on her story. “Only reason SA can’t wear UA shoes is cause of the stupid WNBA rule or I’d have her laced a loooong time ago.”

But it isn’t all negative with the Nike-WNBA deal.

Nike’s deal with the WNBA

Nike’s longstanding partnership with the WNBA represents a pivotal force in the evolution and elevation of women’s professional basketball. What began with the league’s inception in 1997 has blossomed into a comprehensive alliance that extends far beyond on-court apparel. In a landmark move, the two entities announced a 12-year extension of their global partnership last year, solidifying Nike’s role as the exclusive on-court uniform and apparel provider until 2037.

This multi-faceted deal is a testament to Nike’s investment in the WNBA’s future. The sportswear giant has not only committed to providing innovative and stylish uniforms and gear but has also become a key equity investor in the league. This financial backing is crucial for the WNBA’s growth, enabling increased marketing efforts, enhanced player experiences, and greater visibility for its athletes. Here it from A’ja Wilson.

“It wasn’t like people wanted to know A’ja outside the uniform because they never saw it before…  I think that comes from Nike kind of taking that chance and being like, ‘No, we want to tell these ladies’ stories. We want to get them out there to show that it’s deeper than just a uniform.'” 

By leveraging its global platform, Nike is not just outfitting the league; it is actively helping to build a more equitable and celebrated future for women’s sports.