A sneaker switch was all it took to set off speculation around one of women’s basketball’s most visible endorsement deals. During Unrivaled’s ongoing second season, Kelsey Plum was spotted competing in Adidas shoes, despite being a long-time Under Armour athlete. And for a player of her stature, that has definitely raised some eyebrows. But the American sportswear company has finally responded.

In an official statement to Front Office Sports, Under Armour explained that the situation is tied to performance considerations rather than any change in endorsement status, confirming that Plum remains signed with the brand despite the switch in footwear.

“We were recently made aware of an issue impacting Kelsey’s training and performance,” a spokesperson revealed. “We are working closely with her and her team on a solution to support her needs.”

Kelsey Plum has been one of Under Armour’s most recognizable athletes. Since signing a deal with them in 2022, Plum has featured prominently in their brand’s campaigns. This partnership was positioned as a multi‑faceted effort not just to endorse Plum, but to help grow the women’s game and mentor the next generation of players. An effort that included UA sponsoring her Dawg Class basketball camp for elite guards.

While she has not publicly addressed the switch herself, many fans wonder if this is part of a broader pattern.

Just consider NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who spent 12 years with Under Armour and helped build the Curry Brand into a major athlete’s go-to choice. But in November 2025, Curry and UA parted ways. So naturally, Plum’s appearance in Adidas at Unrivaled has prompted questions, even if the brand insists the partnership remains intact.

But for now, only time will tell whether this is just a short-term performance hiccup or something bigger.

Kelsey Plum is dominating in Unrivaled

The Los Angeles Sparks star was all set to play in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled in 2025. However, after labeling it as “wasn’t the right time for me personally,” she ultimately withdrew her name. And while this may be her rookie season in the 3×3 league, Kelsey Plum is already showing she belongs.

In the latest game between Phantom BC and Mist BC, the eight-year WNBA veteran, who won Olympic gold with Team USA’s 3×3 squad in Tokyo in 2020, combined her experience with fresh energy to lead her team past Breanna Stewart’s squad with the final score of 64‑61.

Plum finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, including a game-winning jumper that sealed the win.

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“I feel like I’m a rookie and a vet at the same time,” Plum said in a post-game interview.

However, her best performance came on January 10th, when her team locked horns with the Lunar Owls. In that game, Plum exploded with 38 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. Through three games, she’s averaging 22.7 points per game, ranking as the fifth top-scorer in the league, while also joining the top five for assists (5.7), three-pointers (2.7), and game-winners (1).

With Kelsey Plum as the general on the floor, Phantom BC improved to 2‑1. Her leadership and clutch play are quickly making her the star to watch this season, as the Phantoms gear up to play Laces BC in their next game on January 16th.